A SIGA delegation, composed of Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO, and Nuno Perestrelo, Senior Director of Communication, Media and Thought Leadership Events, joined SIGA’s Champion Cristina Gonçalves in a training session, and a visit to the Lisbon Association on Cerebral Palsy (APCL).
The visit highlighted SIGA’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion in Sport and understanding the challenges faced by para athletes.
The SIGA representatives had the chance to play Bocce with Cristina Gonçalves, a unique experience that showcased the remarkable skill and determination that earned her two Paralympic gold medals (Athens 2004, and Paris 2024), one silver medal (Beijing 2008), and one bronze medal (Rio 2016). This interaction provided SIGA with valuable insights into the importance of adaptive sports in promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for all athletes.
The discussions with APCL staff, including interim General Director Anabela Fialho, Technical Director of the Nuno Krus Abecassis Center Vanda Moutinho, Head of Marketing António Costa, and Technical Coordinator Aida Duarte, further deepened SIGA’s understanding of the challenges faced by organizations working in this area. APCL, SIGA and Cristina Gonçalves agreed to join efforts to promote Inclusive & Sustainable Sport, as SIGA showcased its ambition to reform Sport with integrity.
Topics such as the need for greater resources, societal support, and the ongoing efforts to break down barriers for athletes with disabilities were key points of discussion.
The visit also allowed SIGA to learn more about the personal challenges Cristina Gonçalves faces, both as an elite athlete and as a person with cerebral palsy. Mariana, Cristina’s personal assistant who provides her with continuous support, was also present, demonstrating the vital role of support systems in the lives of athletes with disabilities.
This exchange reaffirmed SIGA’s commitment to working towards a sports industry that is fully inclusive. The shared goals between SIGA and APCL reflect the importance of collaboration in ensuring that sport can be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability. SIGA remains dedicated to championing inclusion, integrity, and equality in sports on a global scale.
During the visit, SIGA’s Global CEO was presented with a remarkable piece created by one of the 24 residents of the Nuno Krus Abecassis Center – a depiction of a Bocce game. In return, SIGA gifted a personalized jersey to APCL, as a testament for their work in promoting inclusion in Sport. Cristina Gonçalves, who in September received the SIGA Special Recognition Award and became a SIGA Champion, was also presented with a personalized jersey featuring her name.
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world’s leading organisation for Sport Integrity. We are creating a whole new landscape for the sports industry by delivering independent global rating and certification for world Sport to ensure it is governed and operates under the highest integrity standards: The SIGA Universal Standards.
Funded by our Members, SIGA is a non for profit global independent organisation with one aim: To ensure the sport industry is governed under the highest integrity standards so that the values of sport are protected.
SIGA is the only organisation to bring together sport, governments, academia, international organisations, sponsors, business, rights holders, NGOs and professional services companies, from every region in the world, around a common cause of fostering greater integrity throughout sport.
SIGA is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a non for-profit association, and comprises of the following continental subsidiaries: SIGA AMERICA, SIGA EUROPE and SIGA LATIN AMERICA.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com and FAQs.
To contact SIGA, please email: comms@siga-sport.com.
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