The inaugural edition of the #SIGAWomen Leadership Forum, hosted at Estádio do Dragão in Porto, and co-hosted by FC Porto with the support of Fun Addict marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey towards gender equity in sport. Gathering over 150 attendees in the exclusive VIP Box, this private event showcased SIGA’s commitment to breaking barriers and setting new standards for female leadership and representation in sports.
The event was packed with inspiring moments that celebrated leadership, resilience, and progress, while addressing the challenges that lie ahead. Here are some of the most noteworthy highlights:
- SIGA Special Recognition Award: A moment of pride for Portugal as Cristina Gonçalves, two-time Paralympic champion in Boccia, was honored. Represented on stage by Mariana Machado and Aida Duarte of the Lisbon Cerebral Palsy Association (APCL), this recognition served as a reminder of the extraordinary achievements of female athletes with disabilities.
- New SIGA Champions: Cristina Gonçalves was joined by Filipa Martins, marking their nomination as the latest SIGA Champions. Both women exemplify excellence and leadership, setting the bar for future generations of women in Sport.
- André Villas-Boas’ Vision: FC Porto’s own André Villas-Boas electrified the audience with his visionary statement—his ambition to see FC Porto led by a female president in the near future. This sentiment, coming from a high-profile male champion of women in sport, underscores the critical importance of male allies in advancing gender equity.
- Groundbreaking Study Unveiled: A significant study was presented, focusing on female representation in top executive roles within international sports federations. The findings shed light on the gaps that still exist but also offer a roadmap for future progress.
- Debate Panels & Fireside Chats: Four thought-provoking debate panels took center stage, each diving deep into issues ranging from gender equality in sports governance to financial transparency and betting integrity. An inspiring fireside chat with Shelley Zalis, founder of The Female Quotient, left the audience motivated to push for more equitable representation.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing: SIGA and SIGA Women took a major step forward by signing an MoU with the Portuguese Players’ Union, ensuring the protection and empowerment of female athletes through advocacy and collaboration. It was signed by Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO, SIGA; Julie Gulsev Kassap, Managing Director, SIGA Women; Joaquim Evangelista, President, Portuguese Players’ Union, and Matilde Fidalgo, professional football player.
- High-Level Keynotes: The audience was captivated by keynotes from Elza Pais, President of the Subcommission for Equality & Non-Discrimination at the Portuguese Parliament, and João Pedro Oliveira e Costa, CEO of Banco BPI. Both leaders reinforced the importance of embedding gender equity into the fabric of sports governance.
The event also welcomed Julie Gülsev Kassap in her new role as Managing Director of the SIGA Women Programme. Her debut signifies a renewed focus on mentorship, leadership development, and the broader movement for gender equality in sport.
Stay tuned for additional coverage, video highlights, and detailed reports from this landmark event. Together, we can break the gender glass ceiling and pave the way for a future where gender equity in Sport is not just an aspiration, but a reality.
We invite you to explore some of the best moments captured through the photos below. Stay tuned for video on demand of the sessions.
Credits: Fernando Silva
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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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