The 3rd AALCO Sports Mediation Training Programme, co-organised by the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) and the Olympic Academy of Hong Kong, China officially began.
The programme was fully supported by the Department of Justice, The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Law Society of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Sports Institute, The International Chamber of Commerce – Hong Kong, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, and The Hong Kong Bar Association, reflecting strong cross-sector interest in advancing sports mediation.
The programme welcomed over 40 participants from various fields including solicitors, barristers, karate-do coach, squash coach, swimming coach, athletes, mental health therapist, physical education teacher, staff of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and students. Notable attendees included Para Badminton Athlete Daniel Chan Ho Yuen, MH, Chair of the Badminton World Federation Para Badminton Athletes’ Commission, Olympic Short Track Speed Skating athlete Darren Kwok Tsz Fung and Retired Olympic swimmer, Rosanna Sze Hang-yu, Assistant Swim Coach, Hong Kong Sports Institute.
Daniel noted that, with strong support from Hong Kong and China, sports mediation is receiving increasing attention. However, participation by stakeholders with disabilities remains relatively limited at present. He added that the challenges faced by para-athletes, as well as information such as the classification system in para sports, are often best understood by those within the community. Therefore, he hopes to contribute to promoting greater participation by people with disabilities in the field of sports mediation.
He also pointed out that career pathways for retired para-athletes are relatively narrow, for example, manual labour may not be suitable. Sports mediation, by contrast, is a profession they are more likely to be well suited for, enabling them to carry on and apply their professional knowledge and experience while also broadening their post-retirement career development.
Darren said he was delighted that the Hong Kong Sports Institute is highly supportive of sports mediation and recommended him to take the sports mediation course. As an athlete, he has witnessed many challenges in the sports sector first-hand, such as selection mechanisms, athlete–coach relationships, coaching qualifications, and communication and interactions with sports associations.
He also wears multiple hats—an athlete, a coach who teaches children, and a member of a sports association which enables him to better understand each party’s concerns and the difficulties they may encounter. He therefore hopes to make use of his outgoing, talkative personality to help resolve sports disputes through communication.
The course content covers the theory and practice of sports mediation, as well as career planning. For example, it includes analyses of sports dispute cases worldwide; demonstrations and simulations of mediation procedures and techniques; an introduction to ADR mechanisms, the definition of sports disputes, and related career pathways; and guided practice sessions.
The speakers also brought together industry authorities, including:
- Hon. Kenneth Fok Kai Kong BBS, JP (Chairman, Olympic Academy of Hong Kong, China and Member of Legislative Council of the HKSAR)
- Mr. Nick Chan BBS, MH, JP (Director, AALCO-HKRAC and Member of Legislative Council of the HKSAR)
- Mr. Hau Pak Sun (Council Member of the Sports Law Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong, Member of Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution)
- Mr Yang-Wahn Hew (Chairperson of Sports Law Committee, Hong Kong Bar Association, Member of DOJ Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution)
- Prof. Patrick Lau (Department Chair, Department of Sports and Health Sciences of Hong Kong Baptist University）
- Mr Albert Leung（Acting Chief Executive Officer, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre）
- Mr Ronald Sum, JP（Vice-Chairman, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre; Council Member and Chairman of Sports Law Committee, The Law Society of Hong Kong, Panel of Arbitrator, Court of Arbitration for Sports (China, Hong Kong), Panel of Arbitrator, China Commission of Arbitration for Sport (China, Hong Kong))
- Prof. Christopher To (Mediator, AALCO-HKRAC and CAS)
AALCO-HKRAC will continue to offer regular training across various areas of mediation, supporting the development of dispute resolution practices in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region. Interested parties are invited to stay informed through our latest updates.
