Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Co-Founder and Global CEO of SIGA, set out a clear roadmap for the year ahead during the Closing Ceremony of the SIGA EUROPE Cycle of Debates – The Future of Sport in Europe, outlining ten strategic objectives aimed at accelerating the global implementation of sport integrity standards and reinforcing SIGA’s role as a leading authority in the sector.
The objectives announced were:
- Consolidate SIGA’s institutional recognition, legitimacy and influence.
- Strengthen the SIGA Universal Standards and develop two additional sets, on Social and Environmental Sustainability and on AI and Sport Integrity.
- Expand SIRVS and implement the new Accreditation System.
- Launch the Sport Transparency Index worldwide.
- Enhance SIGA’s Membership Model and enlarge its representative base.
- Activate SIGA SOLUTIONS and its pool of Business Partners.
- Diversify revenue and secure SIGA’s long-term sustainable development.
- Develop and deploy digital tools, including IRIS.
- Consolidate the role and impact of SIGA’s continental subsidiaries and autonomous structures, including SIGAWomen, the SIGA Youth Council and the SIGA University Network.
- Deliver measurable results.
These commitments framed the conclusion of a high-level forum that brought together leading figures from across the European and international sport ecosystem at the Palácio Sotto Mayor in Lisbon, for a structured exchange on governance, integrity and the future of sport .
The Opening Session featured António Brochado Correia, Territory Senior Partner at PwC Portugal, Helena Pires, CEO of the Portuguese Football Federation, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, and Giovanni Tartaglia Polcini, SIGA’s Chair, whose interventions underscored the importance of strengthening governance frameworks, reinforcing trust and safeguarding the long-term sustainability of sport .
Across four debate sessions, the programme addressed key structural challenges facing sport. The first panel, dedicated to the European Sports Model, brought together Alberto Colombo (European Leagues), Alexandre Mestre (UEFA / World Aquatics), Andida Bouma (European Aquatics), and Dalila Carvalho (Nova University), examining the balance between commercial development and the preservation of core sporting values .
The second session focused on countering criminal infiltration in sport, with António Delicado (MENAC / GRECO) and Giovanni Tartaglia Polcini (Independent Chair, SIGA), moderated by Fernando Veiga Gomes (Chair, Ethics Committee, SIGA), highlighting the need for stronger multilateral cooperation and governance standards .
The third panel explored the impact of technology, featuring André Mosqueira do Amaral (Liga Portugal), Sam Stewart (StreamAMG) and Sebastian Dieguez (Chiliz), with moderation by Lina Santos (ECO Avenida), addressing both the risks and opportunities associated with digital transformation .
Under the moderation of Katie Simmonds, SIGA’s Chief Commercial Officer, the final session examined the role of global brands, with Tiago Simões (Betclic Portugal), Miguel Gouveia de Brito (TrueClinic / SIGA Council), Katie Simmonds (SIGA) and Alessandra Priante (ENIT), focusing on the responsibility of sponsors in advancing transparency, accountability and ethical standards .
The Closing Session also featured important insights by Joaquim Evangelista, President of the Portuguese Players Union, and Reinaldo Teixeira, President of Liga Portugal, reinforcing the importance of leadership and collective responsibility across the sport ecosystem.
The event was moderated by Nuno Perestrelo, Senior Director of Communications, Media & Thought Leadership Events at SIGA, ensuring continuity and coherence throughout the programme.
Bringing together senior decision-makers, institutional representatives and industry leaders, the SIGA EUROPE Cycle of Debates reaffirmed its role as a strategic platform for dialogue, alignment and action, contributing to the advancement of integrity, transparency and accountability in sport
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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.