{"id":44145,"date":"2025-04-24T08:48:35","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T06:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cruyffalumni.org\/johancruyffinstitute-2026\/sports-leadership-in-georgia-at-the-sports-education-forum-2025\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T00:49:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T22:49:19","slug":"sports-leadership-in-georgia-at-the-sports-education-forum-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/the-magazine\/latest-news\/sports-leadership-in-georgia-at-the-sports-education-forum-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Johan Cruyff Institute promotes sports leadership in Georgia at the Sports Education Forum 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>The event, organized in collaboration with JBS Academy, focused on the professionalization of sports and the global exchange of knowledge<\/h2>\n<p class=\"thevelop-dropcap\">The <strong>Sports Education Forum 2025<\/strong> was held on <strong>June 20<\/strong> at the <strong>Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia<\/strong>. This sports forum brought together key figures from the sector to discuss emerging trends, strategic planning, sports psychology, marketing, and talent management. <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/about-us\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute<\/a> had a strong presence with the participation of several of its academic experts and industry professionals.<\/p>\n<p>The event gathered prominent professionals from the international sports field, who shared their experience and insights on the current challenges and opportunities in the industry. Attendees had the chance to hear firsthand about the careers and learnings of individuals who have held key roles in top-level sports organizations.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the panel discussions, the event featured six lectures that addressed different key topics of the sports industry:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The importance of leadership and well-being in sports<\/li>\n<li>Strategic planning in Georgian sports organizations<\/li>\n<li>Fan Engagement: Leading Activations On and Off the Pitch<\/li>\n<li>Empowering the next generation in sports<\/li>\n<li>Mental and physical health of Players\u2019<\/li>\n<li>Global trends in the sports industry<\/li>\n<li>Strategic planning in sports<\/li>\n<li>Sports Marketing in the Sportainment Era<\/li>\n<li>Sports psychology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Following the success of the Sports Education Forum 2025, a second edition is expected in 2026. Dates for the upcoming event will be confirmed at a later stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Sports Education Forum Georgia 2025 (Selection)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/johan-cruyff-institute\/albums\/72177720327171793\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/54612716566_d350336400_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sports Education Forum Georgia 2025 (Selection)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Speakers:<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shota_Arveladze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Shota Arveladze<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Shota_Arveladze\"><img data-dominant-color=\"7f746a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7f746a;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-44738 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/shota1-1.webp\" alt=\"Shota Arveladze\" width=\"200\" height=\"186\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Former Georgian footballer and coach. All-time top scorer for the Georgian national team. As a coach, he has managed clubs such as Kayserispor, Kas\u0131mpa\u015fa, and Pakhtakor Tashkent, with whom he won the Uzbek league and cup.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gaizkamendieta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gaizka Mendieta<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/gaizkamendieta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-dominant-color=\"7f766b\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" style=\"--dominant-color: #7f766b;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-44739 has-transparency\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mendieta1-1.webp\" alt=\"Gaizka Mendieta\" width=\"200\" height=\"189\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Spanish former professional footballer, renowned for his career as a midfielder at Valencia CF and the national team, recognized for his vision of the game, technique, and leadership on the field during the late 1990s and early 2000s.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rocio-ruiz-berdejo-y%C3%B1iguez-238441133\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Roc\u00edo Ruiz-Berdejo Y\u00f1iguez<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rocio-ruiz-berdejo-y%C3%B1iguez-238441133\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"777d77\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #777d77;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-44744 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rocio-1.webp\" alt=\"Roc\u00edo Ruiz-Berdejo Y\u00f1iguez\" width=\"200\" height=\"178\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Head of Women\u2019s Football Marketing at Real Betis Balompi\u00e9 and Project Manager of the sustainability initiative Forever Green.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/marrovira\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"5a7972\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #5a7972;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-44746 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mar.webp\" alt=\"Mar Rovira\" width=\"200\" height=\"181\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/marrovira\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Mar Rovira<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Former professional basketball player and sports psychologist. She is currently the Head of Mental Performance at RCD Espanyol and a founding partner of Themove.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jordivinas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jordi Vi\u00f1as<\/a><img data-dominant-color=\"6e6569\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #6e6569;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-44986 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/jordi-vinas-1.webp\" alt=\"Jordi Vi\u00f1as\" width=\"200\" height=\"156\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sports consultant, managing partner, and founder of Itik Consulting Sport &amp; Leisure. He has over 20 years of experience in managing sports organizations in both the public and private sectors, with his areas of specialization being strategic planning and facility management.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lukasdorda\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"887b76\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #887b76;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-44760 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lukas.webp\" alt=\"Lukas Dorda\" width=\"200\" height=\"185\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lukasdorda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lukas Dorda<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Associate Academic Director at Johan Cruyff Institute. Consultant in Sports Marketing and Sponsorship. PhD candidate in Sport Sciences at the Catholic University of San Antonio of Murcia (UCAM).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-dominant-color=\"beb5a8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #beb5a8;\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-44798 alignleft not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/JCI-SPORTS-EDUCATION-FORUM-JORDI-PASCUAL-1920x1080-1-1.webp\" alt=\"Jordi Pascual\" width=\"200\" height=\"186\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jordi-pascual\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Jordi Pascual<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Football agent at Lian Sports, where he manages the branding of high-level players such as Andr\u00e9 Onana.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Sports Education Forum 2025: Exploring the key trends shaping the sports industry<\/h2>\n<div class=\"responsive-video\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gz_xipwi74U?si=GAA9Ofc8DlRgHFqZ\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen> width=&#8221;560&#8243; height=&#8221;315&#8243; frameborder=&#8221;0&#8243; allowfullscreen=&#8221;allowfullscreen&#8221;><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Tbilisi, the host city of the forum, has established itself as a growing sports and cultural hub. With a vibrant urban life and a rising interest in sports, the Georgian capital offers an ideal setting to discuss the future of sports management. Its blend of history, hospitality, and ambition positions it as a strategic meeting point for international sports leaders and professionals.<\/p>\n<p>The presentations and panel discussions at the Sports Education Forum 2025 addressed key topics in the industry, such as the evolution of <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/specialized-diploma-in-sport-marketing-online\/\">sports marketing<\/a> in the era of sportainment, the empowerment of new generations, and <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/programa\/course-in-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-in-sport-organizations-online\/\">strategic planning in sports organizations<\/a>. The forum was not only a platform for learning but also a unique opportunity to build networks and explore new synergies in the world of global sports. The event&#8217;s success\u2014both in organization and attendance\u2014was the result of the joint efforts of attendees, speakers, and collaborators.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"sht-blockquote\"><p> \u201cOur mission is to prepare future leaders in sport through education. Being present at forums like this allows us to contribute to the growth of emerging sports ecosystems such as Georgia\u2019s, and to connect with professionals committed to innovative, ethical, and sustainable sports management,\u201d says Edgar Romero, Head of Corporate Relations at <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/about-us\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Through this participation, <a href=\"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/about-us\/\">Johan Cruyff Institute<\/a> reaffirms its commitment to training leaders equipped to face the challenges of contemporary sport, promoting a global, transformative vision centered on the value of applied knowledge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The event, organized in collaboration with JBS Academy, focused on the professionalization of sports and the global exchange of knowledge The event gathered prominent professionals from the international sports field, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":47439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[230],"tags":[615,288],"editorial_type":[401,399,400],"class_list":["post-44145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-academic-partners","tag-events"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44145"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70264,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44145\/revisions\/70264"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44145"},{"taxonomy":"editorial_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johancruyffinstitute.cruyffalumni.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/editorial_type?post=44145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}