The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has officially incorporated as a legal entity during the organisation’s General Assembly in London today.
Hailed by the organisation as a “major step forward in its mission to help usher sport into a new era” the incorporation as a legal entity was made formal during an official signing ceremony of their statues by founding members at the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England & Wales.
Among the founding members were major sporting organisations such as the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), European Aquatics, Special Olympics and the Spanish Football League.
A total of 80 international multi-industry supporters back the organisation, which seeks to bring together, Governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors and businesses.
Rights holders, national governing bodies and professional services companies from every region in the world are also among the backers.
SIGA hope to work with foster greater integrity throughout sport by bringing together key stakeholders, working on promoting highest standards of good governance, and tackling issues such as financial and sports betting integrity.
“Today was a historic moment for SIGA as we showed the world that we truly are here to stay,” a SIGA Council statement read.
“We know that we are only at the beginning of our journey; however, we are confident of how much can be achieved by working with our members and the wider sports movement.
“It is only through collaboration that we can make a lasting and meaningful difference in safeguarding the integrity of sport.
“We are excited to be working on pilot projects with four prestigious organisations and have no doubt together we will be able to support them in making real progress.
“Our long-term goal is to ensure that as many organisations as possible are implementing SIGA’s Universal Standards for the benefit of sport and all those who cherish it.”
SIGA was incorporated as a Swiss association, with the organisation claiming that it is currently in the process of identifying possible locations in Switzerland for its headquarters.
During the General Assembly, SIGA announced that it was in the process of developing pilot projects with the European Professional Football Leagues, Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees, the Esports Integrity Coalition and European Aquatics.
Each organisation will implement SIGA’s Universal Standards and SIGA will also deliver bespoke training, education and capacity building projects for each of them to help them make practical and demonstrable progress.
It is claimed the projects will help inform SIGA on how to best support sports organisations in the future.
The General Assembly also heard presentations on SIGA’s interim budget and long term-budget as well as the organisation’s media strategy.
The Assembly took place a day after the organisation held their first Sport Integrity Forum in London.
SIGA’s next General Assembly has been scheduled to take place in July.