Overview
The International Center for Sport Policy and Governance (ICSPG) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) is a pioneering academic think tank dedicated to advancing research and policy development in the realm of sports. Operating under the Faculty of Humanities, ICSPG specializes in creating comprehensive, research-based indices that evaluate countries' performance in sports and physical activities. These indices serve as essential benchmarks for a wide range of stakeholders, including National Olympic Committees, National Sports Governing Bodies, National Sports Federations, International Sports Federations, and governments.
Vision
In the early 21st century, the global sports industry has experienced exponential growth. However, there remains a scarcity of think tanks and research centers worldwide dedicated to sports policy and governance. Notably, the 2020 "Global Go To Think Tank Index Report" did not recognize any sport-focused think tanks among its rankings across various categories, highlighting a significant gap in this field. While health-focused think tanks address aspects related to sport and physical activity, they predominantly concentrate on healthcare services, insurance, and pharmaceutical policies. This underscores the growing need for dedicated research-based analysis concerning the evaluation of sports policies.
Mission
Through the establishment of ICSPG, NDU aspires to become a global pioneer and leader in developing indices and research findings that can guide local, national, and international sports organizations in shaping their sports policies. ICSPG is committed to providing policymakers, sports organizations, and academic institutions with reliable data and analytical tools to inform strategic decisions, promote sports participation, enhance elite performance, and leverage sports as a means of soft power.
Core Research Indices
ICSPG adopts and continually updates four key international sport rankings:
1. World Ranking of Countries in Elite Sports (WRCES): This ranking assesses the performance of all countries in officially recognized international sports competitions. The WRCES ranks 206 countries with National Olympic Committees in sports recognized by SportAccord, as well as those with high media popularity. The methodology for the WRCES was published in the academic paper titled "World Ranking of Countries in Elite Sport" by Nassif, N. (2018).
2. WRCES Merit Ranking: This ranking evaluates countries' performance in officially recognized international sports competitions relative to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The methodology for the WRCES Merit Ranking was published in the book chapter titled "Creating a Global Index Measuring Countries’ Levels of Fitness" by Nassif, N. & Keyrouz, K. (2022).
3. World Fittest Countries’ Ranking (WFCR): This ranking measures the fitness levels of populations in all countries. The methodology for the WFCR was published in the book chapter titled "Creating a Global Index Measuring Countries’ Levels of Fitness" by Nassif, N. & Keyrouz, K. (2022). The WFCR is officially recognized by the International Federation of Physical Education and Sport (FIEPS), which is recognized by the IOC and comprises 142 countries.
4. World Sport Power Index (WSPI): This index assesses countries' capacities to use their sports success to enhance their soft power. The methodology for the WSPI was published in the academic paper titled "The World Sport Power Index: Measuring States' Capacities to use Sport as an Instrument of Soft Power" by Nassif, N. (2022).
Research and Analysis
Beyond these indices, ICSPG conducts in-depth research and presents case studies on various topics, including:
- The impact of sports on countries' soft power and hard power.
- Comparative analyses of national fitness, health, physical education, and sports policies.
- Comparative analyses of the popularity and universality of different sports worldwide.
- Other emerging trends related to sports policy and governance.