Sport: safeguarding current structures, maintening social function. Helsinki report

In approving the report drafted by Mr Pietro-Paolo MENNEA (ELDR, I), the European Parliament adopted the resolution on the Commission report to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of a sport within the Community framework - the Helsinki Report on Sport. The European Parliament calls on the Commission to involve the existing work of the European Network of Sport Sciences in Higher Education (ENSSHE) and the subject of vocational training and qualifications for sportspersons in the EU's Socrates and Leonardo Programmes, together with the reintegration of sportspersons in the labour market when their sporting activity comes to an end. The Parliament underlines the importance of sport education at school and it calls on the Member States to attach due importance to the teaching of physical education in the curricula of all schools and to encourage young people to take part in amateur sports. Furthermore, the Parliament calls on the Intergovernmental Conference to include an explicit reference to sport in Article 151 of the Treaty, so that in its action the EU can recognise the cultural, economic and social phenomenon that sport represents. With regard to sporting associations, these should be encouraged, wherever this is intended to support amateur sport and show solidarity with the less-advantaged sections of society. In addition, the Parliament calls on the Commission to collect and disseminate widely best practice developed by local and regional authorities as community leaders and key players in local regeneration partnerships, as well as providers and enablers of services to all people in the community. Member States are urged to establish a sporting federation for disabled people, both the physically disabled and those with learning difficulties. Particular attention should be paid to the development, funding and promotion of sport for disabled people and to safeguard their special needs as part of sports culture and to provide exchanges between disabled and non-disabled sportspersons. Finally, to improve the situation of women, the European Parliament calls on sports organisations to share out responsibilities in sport between women and men and develop gender equality plans for their members. �