Bordering Dynamics in Sports among Spanish and French Border Regions

Abstract

The role that sports play in cross-border cooperation still remains unclear and under-researched. This paper aims to address this gap by conducting a qualitative study on the impact of basketball and hiking/mountaineering on cross-border cooperation in the New Aquitaine, Basque Country, and Navarre (NAEN) Euroregion. The research identified some significant barriers to enhancing cross-border sports cooperation, primarily associated with regional and national sports legislation and structure. However, the evidence also revealed a lack of information among sports agents regarding opportunities for cross-border sports participation. Also, we present some differences in terms of border cooperation for each sport analyzed. Some policy implications are suggested to increase cross-border cooperation in sports, focusing on creating networks for shared information and establishing clear roles and responsibilities among sports agents to enhance cooperation. These changes should precede the development of targeted logistical and financial support for sports activities in these border regions.