World Intellectual Property Day Media Launch to Spotlight Innovation in Sport
As sport becomes increasingly driven by innovation and commercial value, the World Intellectual Property Day media launch at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) will position intellectual property at the centre of the global sporting conversation.
The event, taking place on Thursday, 9 April 2026, will bring together leaders from government, state agencies, academia, business, and the sporting fraternity to explore how intellectual property is shaping the future of sport, from grassroots development to global commercialisation.
Marking the 25th anniversary of World Intellectual Property Day, this year’s theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”, highlights the critical role of intellectual property in unlocking creativity, protecting ideas, and driving sustainable growth across the sporting ecosystem. The media launch is organised by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSI), through the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT).
The programme will feature messages of support from partner institutions and a high-level panel discussion with leading voices in sport and intellectual property. Panellists include former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena, now a scout and coach; Grant van Velden, Head of High Performance at Cricket South Africa; and Tumelo Mashabela, Director and Registered Patent Attorney at Tshaya Mashabela Attorneys.
The discussion will examine how intellectual property drives innovation in sport, protects original ideas, and transforms creativity into economic value, while also reflecting on the evolving relationship between sport, technology, and commercial opportunity. As part of the programme, VUT Technology Transfer and Innovation will showcase its work in advancing research commercialisation, strengthening intellectual property protection, and driving innovation-led development.
VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Khehla Ndlovu, said: “At its core, intellectual property is about recognising the power of human ingenuity. In sport, that ingenuity lives not only in performance, but in the ideas, technologies, and systems that shape the game behind the scenes. As a university committed to innovation and societal impact, we see this convergence as a catalyst to unlock new industries, empower talent, and position South Africa at the forefront of the global knowledge economy.”