Call For Papers | UNESCO Chair & National Law University Delhi International Conference On “Clean And Safe Sports”

Venue: National Law University, Delhi

Dates: 14^h February 2026
Mode: Hybrid (In-person and Virtual Participation)

About the Conference

The International Conference on “Clean and Safe Sports” seeks to promote global dialogue and interdisciplinary research on the ethical, legal, and institutional dimensions of integrity and safety in sports.

Organised under the UNESCO Chair for Legal Dimensions of Clean Sports, National Law University, Delhi, the Conference aims to bring together scholars, policymakers, athletes, sports administrators, ethicists, and international agencies to deliberate on contemporary challenges like doping, neuro-enhancement, governance, athlete welfare, and ethical dilemmas in modern sports.

Selected peer-reviewed papers from the conference will be published in an ISBN-certified edited volume under the UNESCO Chair for Legal Dimensions of Clean Sports, National Law University, Delhi.

Conference Themes

The Conference invites original and unpublished research papers on the following (but not limited to) themes:

Indicative Themes / Sub-Themes

I. Ethical Issues for Clean Sports

• Ethical dilemmas in modern competition and performance enhancement
• Commercialization, sponsorship pressures, and the erosion of fair play
• Conflicts of interest in sports administration and governance
• Cultural relativism and moral universalism in global sports ethics
• Education and moral conditioning for ethical conduct in sports

II. Evolving Dimensions of Doping: New Substances and Methods

• Emerging doping trends: pharmacological, genetic, and technological frontiers
• Gene-doping, neuro-doping, and tech-doping thereby redefining the boundaries of fair competition
• Scientific and legal challenges in identifying and regulating new enhancement methods
• Global response mechanisms to evolving doping practices
• Ethical implications of human enhancement and the notion of a “natural athlete”

III. Safe Sport and Athlete Welfare

• Preventing harassment, abuse, and discrimination in sports environments
• Gender justice and inclusivity in sporting institutions
• Athlete mental health and psychological safety
• Institutional and legal mechanisms for protection and redressal
• Creating a culture of respect, consent, and empowerment in sports

IV. Sports Integrity and Good Governance

• Governance challenges in sports federations and associations
• Match-fixing, corruption, and betting-related manipulation
• Accountability, transparency, and whistleblower protection
• Role of ethics commissions, ombudsmen, and integrity units

V. Education, Ethics, and Awareness in clean sports

• Role of education in promoting ethical conduct and clean competition
• Building awareness among athletes, coaches, and support staff
• Ethics curricula in sports training and academic institutions
• Media, public perception, and the narrative of integrity in sports

VI. International and Comparative Perspectives

• Role of UNESCO, WADA, IOC, and international sports bodies in promoting clean sport
• Comparative legal studies on doping control and safe sport policies
• Transnational cooperation in combating doping and protecting athletes
• Cultural relativism and ethical pluralism in sports governance

VII. Future Directions and Policy Pathways

• Integrating sustainability and human rights into sports governance
• Advancing research ethics in sports science and bio enhancement
• Building institutional capacity for clean and safe sport initiatives
• Developing a national and global roadmap for sports integrity

VIII. Interface Between Competition Law and Safe Sports

• Exploring the intersection between sports regulation and competition law principles
• Anti-competitive conduct in sports governance and its implications for athlete mobility and market access
• Ensuring fairness in sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and event organization
• Athlete representation, collective bargaining, and contractual restraints under competition law
• Safeguarding integrity and consumer welfare through competitive balance in professional sports.

IX. Sports Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

• Role of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and National Sports Tribunal (NST) in dispute resolution
• Arbitration and mediation mechanisms for resolving doping, selection, and disciplinary disputes
• Jurisdictional and procedural challenges in sports arbitration
• Comparative perspectives on international and domestic sports dispute frameworks
• Ensuring access to justice, transparency, and fairness in sports adjudication

X. Intersection Between Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Safe Sports

• Protection of sports branding, logos, and broadcasting rights within ethical frameworks
• IPR in sports technology, data analytics, and performance enhancement tools
• Licensing, merchandising, and fair remuneration for athletes and creators
• Balancing innovation and accessibility in sports equipment and technologies
• Role of IPR in maintaining integrity, authenticity, and equitable benefits in sports ecosystems.

XI. Legal and ethical implications of Enhanced Sports

• Integrating digital safety and technological safeguards in sports environments
• Strengthening institutional accountability and athlete protection mechanisms
• Inclusive and accessible sports ecosystems for persons with disabilities
• Leveraging innovation and data for risk prevention, injury reduction, and welfare promotion
• Advancing proactive models for safe sport governance, ethics, and athlete advocacy.

The above-mentioned themes are illustrative and not exhaustive. Participants are encouraged to submit research papers on any other relevant topics that align with the broader objectives of promoting clean, fair, ethical, and safe sports.

Submission Guidelines

Abstract Submission:

• Word Limit: 300–350 words
• Include: Title, Author(s) Name, Designation, Institutional Affiliation, Contact Details, and Keywords (3–5)

Full Paper Submission:

• Word Limit: 3,000–5,000 words (including footnotes)
• Citation Format: Bluebook 21st Edition or APA 7th Edition
• Font: Times New Roman, Size 12, Line Spacing 1.5
• Footnotes: Times New Roman, Size 10, Single Spacing

Authorship:

• Co-authorship up to two authors is permitted.
• Both authors must register separately.

Originality:

• Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere.
• Plagiarism above 10% will lead to automatic rejection.

IMPORTANT DATES

Registration/ Abstract submission deadline: December 14, 2025

Acceptance Notification: December 20, 2025

Full Paper Submission deadline: January 27, 2026

Conference date: February 14, 2026

Registration Details

• Students / Research Scholars: ₹700
• Academicians / Professionals: ₹1,200
• Foreign Participants: USD 25

Payment link will be shared to participants upon acceptance of the abstract.

Publication Opportunity

All accepted papers will be peer-reviewed. Selected high-quality papers will be published in an ISBN-certified edited book under the UNESCO Chair for Legal Dimensions of Clean Sports, National Law University, Delhi.

Contact Information

UNESCO Chair for Legal Dimensions of Clean Sports, National Law University, Delhi
Email: unescochair@nludelhi.ac.in

Website: https://nludelhi.ac.in/unesco-chair/

For more details about the conference, click here.