The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) and the Benfica Foundation signed this morning a large-scale, far-reaching and action-oriented memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting greater integrity, sustainability and social responsibility in Sport and the wider industry.
The agreement was formalised in Lisbon by SIGA’s Global CEO, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, and Benfica Foundation’s Executive President, Carlos Móia, setting out both organisations’ core areas of cooperation and common objectives, as well as the shared priorities that both organisations will be working on over the next three years.
In accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed today, the parties are willing to mobilise like-minded organisations, in an open, inclusive and collaborative approach, to:
- Promote Sport’s positive values its social, educational, cultural and economic role;
- Enhance integrity, transparency, accountability and sustainability in Sport, through the implementation of the highest standards on good governance, financial integrity, sports betting integrity and youth development and protection in and thorough Sport;
- Promote gender equity, diversity, social inclusion and accessibility in Sport, as well as prevent and fight against all forms of discrimination, intolerance and abuse;
- Promote Sport’s sound and sustainable development, as well as healthy lifestyles, youth empowerment and children’s safeguards in and through Sport;
- Support, contribute to and participate in the development of SIGA’s thought leadership initiatives and reform agenda, including but not limited to the implementation of the SIGA Universal Standards on Sport Integrity and the SIGA Independent Rating and Verification System (SIRVS).
SIGA and the Benfica Foundation will cooperate in organising thought leadership events; joining efforts to foster female leadership in Sport; promoting social responsibility and community projects, initiatives and efforts to promote youth development, children’s rights, as well as social integration and inclusion.
SIGA’s Global CEO Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros welcomed the Benfica Foundation to the Alliance’s group of committed supporters, and flagged the opportunities this partnership will create for both parties to accomplish their missions:
“Today, Sport acknowledges its responsibilities beyond the field of play. The Benfica Foundation and the memorandum of understanding we have just signed are prime examples of that.
In a world confronted with so many challenges and inequalities, Sport has got to use its power and influence for the benefit of all citizens. This is why prioritising Sport Integrity and actively promoting human rights, sustainability and other pressing causes must become front and center of any club’s social responsibility agenda. Values now, more than ever, are critical to any sports property or brand, and SIGA provides the independent kitemark of trust to ensure Sport is governed and operated with the highest integrity and accountability.
We encourage and invite all sports foundations, clubs, athletes, leagues and federations to walk the talk and join us in this mission. The need to cooperation is greater than ever”.
Benfica Foundation, Executive President Carlos Móia, expressed his thoughts with a sense of responsibility towards Sport Integrity:
“SIGA’s action is naturally integrated into all Benfica Foundation projects. When we talk about fair play and gender equality, we can say that we fit into SIGA’s vision. We will collaborate on sustainability, training, transparency and other issues that have been at the heart of the Foundation’s activities since its inception 13 years ago. The Benfica foundation will not only bring knowledge to Portugal but will also play its role in the Portuguese-speaking countries”.
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ABOUT SIGA
SIGA is the world´s largest coalition in the field of sport´s governance and integrity. Supported by more than 100 international multi-industry supporters, SIGA is an independent and neutral organisation whose mission is to bring about meaningful reforms and enhance the integrity of all sports through a set of universal standards operated by an independent and neutral body. 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.
Click on the hyperlinks for the list of SIGA Members and Committed Supporters and SIGA Partners.
For more information on SIGA, including its vision, mission and reform agenda, please refer to the website: www.siga-sport.com.
To contact SIGA, please email: comms@siga-sport.com.