MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Sporting success is often celebrated through medals, records and the cheers of spectators. Yet behind every victory lie questions that rarely receive sufficient attention: who protects athletes when contracts are breached? Who is responsible for spectator safety? And how can the power of sports organisations be effectively held to account?
Imagine a young athlete losing a bonus because of an opaque contractual clause, or a family of spectators demanding answers after an incident at a sports arena. Such cases demonstrate how decisions made by officials, organisers, sponsors and public authorities can directly affect people's lives. This book helps connect these everyday problems with the principles of a fair and transparent legal system. Sport should be neither a lawless domain nor an area governed exclusively by the internal rules of a sports federation.
These questions form the starting point for Hukum Keolahragaan di Indonesia: Regulasi, Perlindungan Atlet, dan Tata Kelola Olahraga (Sports Law in Indonesia: Regulation, Athlete Protection and Sports Governance), by Farid Wajdi, Goncalwes Sirait and Madayan Hasibuan. Published by Thafa Media in Yogyakarta in October 2026, the book invites readers to view sport not merely as competition, but as a complex ecosystem in which rights, responsibilities, economic interests, public policy and justice are interconnected.
Its central message is clear: sporting success must never come at the expense of athletes' rights or public safety. A sporting environment that society can take pride in requires clear rules, transparent structures and effective accountability mechanisms when violations occur.
Protecting Athletes and Upholding Justice in Sport
Drawing on Indonesian Law No. 11 of 2022 on Sport, the book examines the relationship between national legislation and lex sportiva—the principles and rules developed within international sports organisations. This discussion is increasingly important as Indonesian clubs and athletes participate more frequently in international competitions, where they encounter cross-border contracts and dispute-resolution procedures.
Across seven chapters, the book guides readers through the legal foundations of sport, the governance of sports federations, employment relationships between athletes and clubs, and issues involving contracts and player transfers. Particular emphasis is placed on athlete protection. Topics include social security and welfare, the rights of underage athletes, gender equality, the prevention of discrimination, violence and harassment, and support for athletes after their competitive careers have ended.
The book also explores legal liability for injuries, stadium safety standards, insurance matters and violations of anti-doping rules. Such problems cannot be resolved solely through sporting sanctions. For example, an organiser's negligence may carry wider legal consequences if public safety has been neglected.
Building an Ethical and Accountable Sports Economy
The economic dimension of sport is examined through broadcasting rights, club brands and logos, sponsorship, product licensing, investment and club ownership structures. The message is particularly relevant to a growing sports economy: commercial interests must go hand in hand with transparency and the protection of the public interest. Rising revenues without responsible corporate and organisational governance can instead encourage conflicts and abuses of power.
Beyond conventional legal issues, the book addresses match-fixing, corruption in sport, arbitration, e-sports and the challenges posed by digital technology. This breadth of coverage helps readers understand why sports-related disputes must be resolved promptly and fairly, without infringing the rights of the parties involved.
One of the book's key strengths is its combination of academic perspectives and practical legal experience. Farid Wajdi is a recognised academic and former member of Indonesia's Judicial Commission. Goncalwes Sirait brings experience as both a legal practitioner and an athlete, while Madayan Hasibuan works in legal consultancy and legal education. Their varied professional backgrounds lend additional practical relevance to the issues discussed.
A Guide to a Fairer and Safer Future for Sport
The book is intended for students, university lecturers, lawyers, athletes, coaches, sports officials, club managers, policymakers and anyone with an interest in sport. It provides a foundation for identifying rights, assessing risks at an early stage and demanding responsible governance throughout the sporting sector.
The first edition comprises xiv + 233 pages and carries ISBN 978-602-5589-99-7. Its underlying message is fundamental: sport is not simply about who wins, but also about how victory is achieved fairly, safely and with dignity. (IDNC)
By: Dr Farid Wajdi, S.H., M.HumFounder of Ethics of Care