AI meets Sport: New Horizons from Istanbul
The European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) successfully hosted the international conference AI & (Multi)Sport on Saturday, 27 September 2025, in Istanbul, as part of its Extraordinary Assembly activities in collaboration with Taç Spor.
In his welcome address, Polat Bengiserp, President of Taç Spor, underlined the symbolic importance of hosting the event at the historic facilities of Galatasaray High School, emphasizing how strongly these facilities are connected to the identity and tradition of the club.
In her keynote speech, Christina Tsiligkiri, President of EMCA, highlighted that Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future trend, but part of our reality, stressing that technology is not neutral — its impact depends on how and why it is used. She underlined that for EMCA, AI must not become a luxury for the few, but a tool for all — one that strengthens transparency, equality, inclusion and the social value of sport. She also reminded participants that while AI can support injury prevention, accessibility, and club management, it is crucial to protect personal data, avoid new inequalities, and ensure that technology always serves people, not the other way around.
The conference gathered representatives from multisport clubs, European institutions, and leading experts in technology and sport, to discuss how AI is set to transform the sporting world. Participants explored opportunities for AI to enhance performance analysis, prevent injuries, improve management efficiency, foster inclusion, and create new ways for communities and fans to engage with sport.
A key highlight of the day was the expert panel discussion featuring Ian Smith, Philipp Ostsieker, Stefano Orengo, Peter Kekesi and Malte Kalsbach, who shared their diverse insights on how AI can responsibly and effectively shape the future of sport.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the day was the presence of students from Galatasaray High School, who attended the sessions with enthusiasm. Their participation brought fresh perspectives and reflected the importance of involving younger generations in shaping the future of sport in the digital era.
The conference concluded with a strong call to action: EMCA and its member clubs must continue to embrace digital innovation, share best practices and cooperate across Europe to ensure that technology — and AI in particular — serves as a tool to strengthen inclusion, participation and the social value of sport.
With this conference, EMCA reaffirmed its role as a bridge between sport, technology and society, opening new horizons for collaboration and inspiring both today’s leaders and tomorrow’s athletes.
