The 3rd AALCO Sports Mediation Training Programme, co-organised by AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) and the Olympic Academy of Hong Kong, China, has concluded successfully. The programme was fully supported by the Department of Justice, The Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Hong Kong Bar Association, The Hong Kong Sports Institute, the International Chamber of Commerce – Hong Kong, eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre, and The Law Society of Hong Kong, reflecting strong cross-sector interest in advancing sports mediation.
Congratulations to the over 40 participants who successfully completed the 3 days training on 28 March 2026. They came from diverse backgrounds, including solicitors, barristers, athletes, coaches (karate-do, squash and swimming), mental health therapists, physical education teachers, staff of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and students. Notable participants included Daniel Chan Ho Yuen, MH (former Hong Kong para badminton athlete and Chair of the Badminton World Federation Para Badminton Athletes’ Commission), Darren Kwok Tsz Fung (Olympic short track speed skating athlete), and Rosanna Sze Hang-yu (retired Olympic swimmer and currently Assistant Swim Coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute).
The course covered the theory and practice of sports mediation, as well as career planning. It featured 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 3rd AALCO Sports Mediation Training Programme not only nurtured a new cohort of professionals specializing in sports dispute mediation but also fostered in-depth discussions and exchanges on the legal challenges, dispute resolution mechanisms, and future developments in the sports industry. These efforts align with the government’s commitment to promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, promoting Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism and developing sports as an industry. This also prepares Hong Kong to become a global hub for sports dispute resolution.
As local and international sports activities become increasingly frequent, participants learnt how Hong Kong’s first Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution strengthens the city’s position as an international legal and dispute resolution hub. Participants also gained an understanding of how they can apply their professional expertise through the Online Platform for Resolving Sports Disputes, which integrates technology to provide the sports community with a one-stop, confidential, impartial and professional pathway for resolving disputes.
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. Please stay tuned for more information.
