The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) and SIGA ASIA reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Dubai and outlined new priorities for strengthening Sport Integrity across Asia during a webinar organised in partnership with the International Sports & Entertainment Zone (ISEZA).
Held during Sport Integrity Action Month, “Integrity and Compliance in Sports: The Role of SIGA in Monitoring and Implementation” opened the SIGA ASIA Webinar Series, featuring Damir Valeev, CEO of ISEZA; Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Co-Founder & Global CEO of SIGA and Executive Chairman of SIGA ASIA; Katie Simmonds, SIGA’s Chief Legal & Business Affairs Officer and Chair of the SIGAWomen Council; and Jessica Smith OAM PLY, Paralympian and SIGAWomen Council Member and Mentor.
Opening the event, Damir Valeev welcomed SIGA’s contribution to the region. In his keynote address, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros marked approximately one year since SIGA established its presence in Dubai, thanking ISEZA and the Dubai Sports Council for their support and reaffirming that the organisation’s commitment to the Emirate is a long-term strategic decision.
Citing the UAE National Sports Strategy 2031, he stressed that good governance and independent verification are essential to attracting investment and ensuring that sporting growth benefits athletes and communities. He also outlined plans to deepen cooperation with sports authorities across the Emirates, positioning Dubai as a regional hub for advancing Sport Integrity.
A central message of his keynote was that integrity cannot rest on declarations alone. Sports organisations must demonstrate, through independent scrutiny, that their governance practices meet internationally recognised standards. He presented independent verification as the foundation of trust and confidence among athletes, fans, sponsors and investors.
Building on this message, Katie Simmonds presented SIGA’s Game Changers initiative, inviting participating organisations to undertake a complimentary, confidential gap analysis against the Bronze-level SIGA Universal Standards on Good Governance in Sport during Sport Integrity Action Month.
Conducted virtually or in person, the assessment identifies governance weaknesses and provides a roadmap towards certification under the SIGA Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS).
SIRVS assesses governance policies and their implementation through independent third-party audits. Certification is available at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, is valid for three years and includes periodic reviews.
European Aquatics was highlighted as an example, having retained its Bronze certification following review while working towards Silver. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) was also recognised for announcing a governance gap analysis during its 2026 World Championships.
Addressing the UAE’s developing regulated commercial gaming sector, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros expressed SIGA’s readiness to work with relevant authorities and sports organisations on betting integrity, athlete education, match-manipulation prevention and protection against betting-related harm. He emphasised that effective safeguards must be established before integrity threats materialise.
Looking ahead, he announced that SIGA is advancing two new sets of Universal Standards, addressing Social and Environmental Sustainability in Sport and Artificial Intelligence and Sport Integrity. Inviting regional experts and organisations to contribute, he underlined the importance of anticipating emerging risks and developing practical solutions before they undermine confidence in Sport.
Drawing on her Paralympic career and nearly a decade of experience in the UAE, Jessica Smith identified three priorities for SIGA ASIA: women’s leadership, inclusion and accessibility, and athlete safeguarding.
She called for governance to keep pace with regional investment and for women to gain meaningful leadership opportunities. The SIGAWomen Global Mentorship Programme connected approximately 200 women from more than 50 countries in its latest edition.
Jessica Smith emphasised that SIGA ASIA’s success should be measured by partnerships established, standards adopted and tangible improvements in how Sport is governed and experienced.
The webinar also introduced SIGA’s Club Network, connecting clubs across markets to address shared governance challenges. Sports bodies, public authorities, sponsors and other stakeholders were encouraged to join SIGA, explore Game Changers and pursue independently verified standards.
With Dubai as its regional base, SIGA ASIA aims to translate the region’s sporting ambitions into lasting progress built on integrity, accountability and trust.
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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 ASIA, 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.