The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), together with SIGA member Mastercard, held a reception for leaders from world sport to discuss effective solutions needed to safeguard the integrity of sport worldwide.
The event brought together major US sports organisations, sports betting industry stakeholders, financial institutions, as well as other high profile stakeholders from the sport business community. The informal networking event was the first time SIGA has gathered experts in sport, integrity and governance in New York since an informal meeting of its founding members was held there in November 2015.
Since then, SIGA has made significant progress and is now an independent legal entity of more than 80 international multi-industry supporters from around the world. This event marks the organisation’s latest step to help build a collaborative effort against corruption in sport.
SIGA is currently managing pilot projects with four organisations – European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees, Esports Integrity Coalition and European Aquatics. All four organisations are implementing SIGA’s set of Universal Standards designed to advance the highest level of good governance, financial integrity and sports betting integrity in sporting organisations. These pilot projects will then help inform SIGA on how to best support sports organisations in the future.
During the event, messages of support were received from the United States President’s Council on Fitness, Sport and Nutrition and the McCain Institute.
Leading the SIGA delegation, Coordinator Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros said:
“SIGA’s success story started here, in New York. It’s a story of hard work, unbreakable commitment and reformist spirit, around one fundamental mission: to restore sport’s place at the podium, in terms of good governance, integrity and accountability.
“Sport faces a decisive moment. Momentum is clearly building. For the vast majority of organisations that joined us in New York, this was the first time they have formally engaged with SIGA. SIGA is growing from strength to strength – that’s undeniable! There is a lot of work to be done, but today was another step in the right direction, for the benefit of sport and those who care about it.”
ENDS