The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) is proud to announce Khalida Popal, a trailblazing advocate for women’s rights and former captain of the Afghanistan women’s national football team, as the first distinguished confirmed keynote speaker at the upcoming SIGA Women Leadership Forum. The event will take place at the iconic Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal, in partnership with hosting partner FC Porto, on September 11th.
Khalida Popal is renowned and deeply respected for her courageous mission in advancing the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly through the power of football. As the first captain of the Afghan women’s football team, Khalida has used her platform to break down barriers, challenge societal norms and advocate for gender equity, both on and off the field. Since fleeing from Afghanistan, she has relentlessly continued her activism in exile, focusing on protecting refugee female athletes and promoting inclusion and diversity in Sport worldwide.
For her remarkable work, unwavering courage, and profound impact on the lives of countless women and girls in and through Sport, Khalida Popal will receive the SIGA Special Recognition Award. Additionally, SIGA and the Girl Power Organization will sign a cooperation agreement, the terms of which will be disclosed in due course.
The SIGAWomen Leadership Forum will bring together some of the most influential and charismatic female leaders from across the world of Sport and the wider cluster, including leading representatives from sports organizations, sponsors, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. The thought leadership event will address critical topics, such as women’s representation in executive organs of national and international sports federations, the rising popularity of women’s sports and its corresponding impact on sports governance and gender equity, and the promotion and commercialization of women’s sports.
During the Forum, SIGA will also publicly launch The SIGAWomen Manifesto, outlining its vision and commitment to advancing good governance and gender equity in Sport, ensuring it always reflects the values of inclusivity, fairness, and integrity.
Khalida Popal, founder of Girl Power Organisation, expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the SIGA Women Leadership Forum:
”I am truly honored to be a keynote speaker at the upcoming SIGA Women Leadership Conference. This event provides a meaningful platform to share my journey leading the Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team and advocating for women’s rights through sports.
I will discuss the challenges we faced in Afghanistan and the resilience of our players, who continued to fight for their rights despite immense adversity. I’ll also highlight the crucial role global solidarity has played in supporting our mission and the importance of using sports as a tool for empowerment.
I look forward to connecting with fellow leaders and advocates as we work together toward a more just and equal world for women”.
As part of SIGAs on-going commitment to delivering Integrity solutions that are inclusive and accessible to all, attendance at this event is free of charge. However, places are limited and previous registration is required.
Additionally, donations are encouraged. Profits will be reinvested into the #SIGAWomen Programme.
Click here to secure your place.
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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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