What Happened
On March 17, Panama’s Olympic Committee, Pandeportes and the Centro de Conciliación y Arbitraje de Panamá (CeCAP) held a conference titled “Justicia en la Cancha: Conflictos, Reglas y Arbitraje Deportivo en la Copa del Mundo FIFA y los IV Juegos Suramericanos de la Juventud Panamá 2026.” The event took place at the Salón de la Fama y Museo del Deporte Panameño in Amador and brought together legal professionals, sports figures and members of the public to discuss mechanisms for resolving disputes in sport.
Key Speakers and Topics
Dr. Gerardo Acosta, a doctor in sports law, led the first session, addressing arbitration and dispute resolution in the context of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He explained international mechanisms used to settle sporting disputes and referenced relevant cases from his native Paraguay to illustrate trends and the particularities of the arbitral system in football.
Damaris Young, president of the Comité Olímpico de Panamá, focused on the role of the Tribunal de Arbitraje Deportivo de Panamá (TADPAN) during the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026. Her presentation highlighted the importance of advance planning in sports justice and the need for independent, specialized arbitration bodies that can act with legal rigor to resolve conflicts promptly.
Discussion and Public Engagement
The conference continued with a panel discussion featuring the main presenters, exploring dispute-resolution mechanisms at major international sporting events. Panelists reviewed common challenges and recent situations — including references to the Morocco vs. Senegal case in the African Cup of Nations final — and considered possible solutions tailored to the regional context. Audience participation was active, reflecting growing local interest in sports arbitration and governance.
Community and Outreach
Olympic silver medalist Atheyna Bylon participated in the event alongside the official mascot of the IV South American Youth Games, the golden frog Antón; they distributed six signed boxing gloves to attendees. The day ended with a networking cocktail, giving participants an opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen professional ties.
What This Means
The conference, held in the framework of Panama’s Arbitration & Week 2026, underscores Panama’s commitment to strengthening justice, transparency and organizational standards ahead of hosting major sporting events. Organizers — including the Comité Olímpico de Panamá, Pandeportes and CeCAP — said the initiative aims to train and update sports law professionals and to consolidate Panama as a regional reference for high-standard sporting organization and dispute resolution.