The Three Key Points of the Future Law

The Three Key Points of the Future Law - image

The public information process of the Draft Law on Physical Activity and Sport of the Basque Country (LPASBC) has been opened (leiho berri batean irekitzen da). The content for the promotion of physical activity is undoubtedly one of its main novelties. But what are the changes that the new text proposes?

The promotion of physical activity is something that is usually mentioned in the different sports laws of the autonomous communities. However, as the Lehen Urrats report states, its content is usually scarce and inconcrete. In my opinion, the great challenge for the future LPASBC is not to repeat the same error. I think that the Draft Law has met that challenge, putting forth a brave and visionary text.

These are in my opinion the three greatest contributions it offers:

1.- The promotion of physical activity is presented from a transversal perspective (something that the Lehen Urrats report demanded insistently). Thus, as is the case with other issues that require transversal action such as environment, Basque language or gender equality, the LPADBC requires the participation of municipalities, provincial councils and the Basque Government (considering the municipality as the central axis). Likewise, the promotion of physical activity is organized with the participation of different administrative fields: sports, health, education, social services, workplace, urban planning, transport and road safety.

Among all the actions planned for all these social areas, I would highlight those that affect the education system, anticipating that the educational project of each center will include adequate actions to promote daily physical activity and increase the time load in PE, reaching three hours per week in all years in the stages of Primary Education and Compulsory Secondary Education.

2.- Creation of the Basque Agency of Physical Activity, with clearly defined functions. Transversal policies, if they do not have an entity to lead them, are very complex to develop in a coordinated manner. That leadership will have to be assumed by the Basque Agency of Physical Activity.

3.- Creation of the unique sports card. In my opinion, it is the greatest improvement from the sports system that can be offered for the promotion of physical activity. If we are already enjoying unique cards in other sectors such as transport or libraries, why do we wait to achieve this in sports too? Some initial tests have already been carried out in several municipalities of Ezkerraldea, and are intended to be extended to Gipuzkoa.

In addition to these three contributions, I would highlight another feature: the Draft Law is fully enforceable. I believe that the text has been written very pragmatically, setting goals that require great effort, but being ultimetly feasible.

Hopefully on this issue the necessary consensus will be reached and people with political responsibility will understand it. In my opinion, the Scottish case is a good example of what is currently required in the Basque Country. Nanette Mutrie (professor at the University of Edinburgh and Chair of Physical Activity for Health) exposes in her podcast(leiho berri batean irekitzen da) the progress made in Scotland in policies aimed at promoting physical activity, and she highlights the political consensus achieved over 20 years for the development of such policies.

Bellow, expressed in a graphic way some of Scotland's achievements in recent years thanks to political consensus. Will we be able to achieve the same in the Basque Country in the future?