Sports Law, Policy, and Governance Research Group

The contemporary sports landscape is characterised by increasing commercialisation, globalisation, and technological advancements. The integrity of sports competitions, the protection of athletes' rights, and the promotion of ethical practices in sports governance have become paramount concerns. Moreover, the soft power of sports has emerged as an important factor in international relations, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research and collaboration in the field of sports law, policy, and governance.

Group members

PhD Marina Kameņecka-Usova

Lead Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences

A lawyer and member of the International Association of Sports Law, Kameņecka-Usova is also the co-author to the pioneering scientific monograph titled Sporta tiesības. Aktuālās problēmas, izaicinājumi un jaunākās tendences (Sports Law: Topical Issues, Challenges, and Latest Trends) that marked a significant milestone as the premier publication on sports law in Latvia. Her research pursuits extend to various dimensions of sports law and policy, with a particular interest in exploring the soft power of sport, alternative dispute resolution, and mediation. Honoured with a FIFA Research Scholarship in 2024. This prestigious award facilitates her collaborative study with co-author Dr. Zalcmane on the emergence of the Baltic Football League.

Acting Assoc. Prof. Dr. paed. Signe Luika

Academic Staff, Department of Sports Theory
Visiting Lead Researcher, Development and Project Department
Lead Researcher, Department of Rehabilitation

Luika’s research interests encompass sport management, sport policy, and the socio-economic dimensions of sports. Head of the board at the Latvian Coaches Continuing Education Center and a member of the board at the European Observatory of Sport Employment.

PhD Karina Zalcmane

Doctoral student, Faculty of Social Sciences

Lawyer, serves as a member of the board of directors for the International Association of Sports Law. Zalcmane’s areas of expertise and interests span the implementation of technologies and innovative methods in crime prevention systems, as well as sports law and criminology. In 2024, she was honoured to receive a FIFA Research Scholarship alongside Dr. Marina Kamenecka-Usova.

 

PhD Olena Agapova

Visiting Lead Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences

She received her doctorate in law in 2017. Her research focuses on public administration, administrative law, international relations, and forensic science. She is a Senior Visiting Researcher at RSU and Head of the International Department of the National Scientific Centre of Professor Emeritus M. S. Bokarius (Ukraine) and has been an expert on the Latvian Council of Science since 2022. Member of the editorial board of the scientific journal Socrates.

Elīna Greine

Elīna Greine received her bachelor's degree in law from the Riga Graduate School of law programme Law and Diplomacy. She is currently pursuing an academic social sciences master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at Rīga Stradiņš University.

She has participated in international mock trials, the Levan Alexidze Moot court and the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition, as well as taken an exchange semester at University of Lapland in Finland.

Objectives

• To advance understanding and knowledge in the field of sports law, policy, and governance through rigorous research and scholarly inquiry;
• To examine legal frameworks, policy implications, and governance structures within the realm of sports at the local, national, and international levels;
• To explore the soft power of sports and its implications for international relations, diplomacy, and cultural exchange;
• To provide evidence-based recommendations and insights to policymakers, sports organisations, and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and integrity of sports governance.

Research questions

• What legal and regulatory challenges do sports organisations face in ensuring fair play, integrity, and transparency in sports competitions, and how can these challenges be addressed?
• How do national and international legal frameworks impact the governance structures of sports organisations and their decision-making processes?
• What are the implications of the soft power of sports for international relations, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, and how can sports be leveraged as a tool for promoting global understanding and cooperation?
• ow do emerging technologies, such as data analytics and digital platforms, influence sports law, policy, and governance?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of governments, sports federations, and other stakeholders in ensuring compliance with anti-doping regulations and safeguarding athlete welfare?

Articles

• Kameņecka-Usova M., Korde Z., Zidens J., Luika S., Agapova O., Palkova K., Martinsone K. "Research patterns in sports law and sports governance: a scopus bibliometric study." Frontiers Sports and Active Living, 15 July, 2025, Sec. Sports Politics, Policy and Law, Vol. 7 - 2025.
  https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1590858
• Kamenecka-Usova M., Tkalych M. "Resilience through sports: Ukraine and Latvia confront geopolitical challenges." Frontiers Sports and Active Living, 09 June 2025, Sec. Sports Politics, Policy and Law, Volume 7 - 2025.
  https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1563761
• Kameņecka-Usova M, Žīdens J, Luika S, Donāne L, Agapova O, Stecenko I, Griķis R. "Latvian Sports Regulation in Transition: Navigating Historical Evolution and Contemporary Development Trends." European Journal of Sustainable Development,  Vol. 13 No. 4 (2024)
  https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2024.v13n4p437
• Kameņecka-Usova M, Zalcmane K, 2023. "Sporta tiesības. Aktuālās problēmas, izaicinājumi un jaunākās tendences." Research monograph.
  ISBN NR.: 978-9984-24-257-6
  Link: https://tnagramatas.tna.lv/lv/product/624
• Kameņecka-Usova M, Jul 16, 2022. "Good Governance in National Sports Organizations: The Need for The Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures." International Sports Law Review Pandektis, Volume 14, Issues 1-2.
• Kameņecka-Usova M, Mar 12, 2021. Legal Aspects of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Sports Law. Doctoral thesis, Riga Stradiņš University.
• Zalcmane K, Kameņecka-Usova M, Feb 20, 2021. "Whether sports liability is an independent type of legal liability?" Socrates 2021,2(20).
  Link: https://kanalregister.hkdir.no/publiseringskanaler/erihplus…
• Zalcmane K, Kameņecka-Usova M, Bičkovskis A, Jan 10, 2021. "The Problematic Issues of Sports Law in Latvia: Compliance of Labour and Tax Legislations from the Sustainable Development Perspective", European Journal of Sustainable Development Vol.10 No.3 291.
  Link: https://ecsdev.org/ojs/index.php/ejsd/article/view/1280
• Zalcmane K, Kameņecka-Usova M, 2018. "The Problematics Of Sports Law In Latvia: Civil And Criminal Law Statutory Acts Perspective Society." Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Society. Integration. Education., 4, 332- 346.
  Link: https://journals.rta.lv/index.php/SIE/article/view/3306
• Zalcmane K, Jul 16, 2022. "Sports Criminology", International Sports Law Review Pandektis, Volume 14, Issues 1-2, 2022.
• Zalcmane K, 2020. "Criminogenic Manifestations of Football Fans and Prevention: Latvian and Foreign Experience". Dissertation thesis, Rīga Stradiņš University.
• Luika S., 2019. “Latvia: On Its Way to Developing the Private Sport Sector”, Springerlink
  Link: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61310-9…
• Dombrovska A, Luika S., 2018. "High-performance sport management in Latvia: review of sport federations manager’s view."
• Luika S., 2012. Inovatīvs Latvijas Sporta nozares stratēģiskās plānošanas modelis, dissertation thesis
• Donāne L, 2022. "The Restrictions on Human Rights of a Professional Athlete, Legal Framework and Problematic Issues", master's thesis, Rīga Stradiņš University.
  Link: https://dspace.rsu.lv/jspui/handle/123456789/11476

Projects

Innovations, methodologies and recommendations for the development and management of the sports sector in Latvia. National Research Programme, Sports.
Signe Luika, Marina Kameņecka-Usova

Grants financed under the consolidation plan. Research and development grant. Project title: “Eiropas sporta tiesiskā regulējuma veidošana: sporta pārvaldības un Lex Sportiva mijiedarbība” (Shaping the European legal framework for sport: the interaction between sports governance and Lex Sportiva)
Project no. RSU/LSPA-PA-2024/1-0005 
Signe Luika, Marina Kameņecka-Usova