The series brings together sports and diplomacy to inspire, entertain, and educate. Delve into how sports are transforming the global landscape of development.   

How are state actors, sport governing bodies, NGOs, and private companies using sport to achieve social change? Learn how to give a successful soccer academy a humanitarian dimension, how crucial the sport is in Africa, and why we need sports for development projects even in seemingly developed countries. Join expert panelists in a Q&A following the discussion.          

Panelists:        
Donald Rukare, President, Uganda Olympic Committee 
Libor Volf, Founder, Volf Soccer Academy           
Lenka Martináková, Fair-Play League Coordinator, Football for Development                            

Moderator:
Jan Woska, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC      

Free | RSVP required: https://sportsdip2.eventbrite.com                          

BIOGRAPHIES:

Donald Rukare	Donald Rukare is a former national swimmer and Ugandan lawyer with over 27 years of experience in development cooperation, governance, rule of law, human rights, access to justice and sports arena. He is Chief of Party of the Freedom House Uganda office, the President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Chair of the National Council of Sports, and FINA Bureau member. Dr. Rukare has consulted with the World Bank, United Nations, European Union, and the International Olympic Committee.
Libor Volf	Libor Volf is a former Czech professional soccer player. He spent the last three years of his career in Spain before moving to Vancouver, Canada. In 2012, he established the Volf Soccer Academy, which currently has over 500 kids training on three continents: Uganda, Czech Republic and Canada. His is currently campaigning to raise funds to support young players in Uganda, aiming to create a school.
Lenka Martináková	Lenka Martináková studied at Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, where she focused on sports and development. In 2018, she volunteered for Football for Development, working with disadvantaged youth. Later, she became a social worker, using football as a tool for socially excluded youth. In 2019, she helped found the Fair-Play Football League in the Haná region. She currently works as an assistant and impact measurement coordinator on the project.
Jan Woska	Before joining the diplomatic corps, Jan Woska worked in a law office specializing in sports law. He participated in sports for development exchanges, interacting and uniting with participants from all over the world. He is co-founder of Footballin, an NGO promoting mutual understanding and respect through sports. Jan is an active sportsman and never misses a game of his team, Baník Ostrava.

SPORTSDIP

Next in the SPORTSDIP Series:
June – Major Sports Events: Bidding, Politics, and Controversies
September – Law as a Tool of Sports Diplomacy
October – Women and Sports: Overcoming Adversity
November – The Importance of Czech Representation in the International Sports Governing Bodies