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Advocates Philippines
Lawyer Highlights Gaps In Student-Athlete Protection Law, Calls Attention To Safe Sports Standards
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Attorney Alberto Agra has underscored what he sees as key gaps in the country's existing student-athlete protection framework, stressing the need for greater attention to safe sports practices in schools and athletic programs.
In the latest installment of his Policy ProposAL Series, Agra discussed the Student-Athlete Protection Act (SAPA), a law enacted in 2015 to safeguard the rights and welfare of student-athletes.
According to Agra, SAPA currently provides protections by defining who qualifies as a student-athlete, ensuring reasonable benefits, protecting athletes from commercialization, and regulating residency requirements. However, he noted that the law does not expressly define or mandate the promotion of safe sports.
Agra pointed out that the law also does not specifically prohibit or penalize unsafe sports practices, establish standards for the accreditation or certification of coaches and school sports officials, or provide clear accountability mechanisms in cases involving injuries, abuse, serious harm, or deaths connected to sports activities.
At present, concerns related to athlete safety are generally addressed through broader laws covering obligations, civil liabilities, criminal offenses, and other applicable regulations.
As part of his policy discussion, Agra presented possible amendments that could strengthen the law's focus on athlete welfare. These include formally defining "Safe Sports," prohibiting unsafe practices, creating a national registry of school coaches and sports officials, and setting minimum standards for accreditation, certification, and continuing education.
Under the concept outlined by Agra, safe sports would involve creating an environment where athletes and all sports stakeholders are protected from physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, medical, and environmental harm while promoting their health, dignity, well-being, and development.
Agra explained that increasing reports of injuries, abuse, and deaths involving student-athletes highlight the importance of reviewing existing policies. He said stronger standards on supervision, risk management, medical preparedness, and athlete welfare could help ensure that sports programs prioritize safety alongside athletic excellence.
The discussion forms part of Agra's ongoing Policy ProposAL Series, which examines existing laws and explores potential policy improvements on various national issues.
In the latest installment of his Policy ProposAL Series, Agra discussed the Student-Athlete Protection Act (SAPA), a law enacted in 2015 to safeguard the rights and welfare of student-athletes.
According to Agra, SAPA currently provides protections by defining who qualifies as a student-athlete, ensuring reasonable benefits, protecting athletes from commercialization, and regulating residency requirements. However, he noted that the law does not expressly define or mandate the promotion of safe sports.
Agra pointed out that the law also does not specifically prohibit or penalize unsafe sports practices, establish standards for the accreditation or certification of coaches and school sports officials, or provide clear accountability mechanisms in cases involving injuries, abuse, serious harm, or deaths connected to sports activities.
At present, concerns related to athlete safety are generally addressed through broader laws covering obligations, civil liabilities, criminal offenses, and other applicable regulations.
As part of his policy discussion, Agra presented possible amendments that could strengthen the law's focus on athlete welfare. These include formally defining "Safe Sports," prohibiting unsafe practices, creating a national registry of school coaches and sports officials, and setting minimum standards for accreditation, certification, and continuing education.
Under the concept outlined by Agra, safe sports would involve creating an environment where athletes and all sports stakeholders are protected from physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, medical, and environmental harm while promoting their health, dignity, well-being, and development.
Agra explained that increasing reports of injuries, abuse, and deaths involving student-athletes highlight the importance of reviewing existing policies. He said stronger standards on supervision, risk management, medical preparedness, and athlete welfare could help ensure that sports programs prioritize safety alongside athletic excellence.
The discussion forms part of Agra's ongoing Policy ProposAL Series, which examines existing laws and explores potential policy improvements on various national issues.
Jun 17, 2026
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