The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has announced the constitution of its Permanent Committee on Gender, Race, Inclusion and Diversity in Sport (GRID) for the 2026–2029 mandate, reinforcing its continued commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities across the global sport ecosystem.
The composition of the GRID Committee was approved by the SIGA Council, following the governance renewal process conducted in connection with the election of the SIGA Global CEO for the 2026–2030 term, which resulted in the re-election of Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros. The members were proposed and appointed in accordance with SIGA’s Statutes and the applicable Terms of Reference.
Under SIGA’s governance framework, Permanent Committees are advisory bodies tasked with analysing strategic issues within their respective domains, fostering dialogue and knowledge-sharing, and issuing recommendations to the Council and the CEO for consideration and decision. Committee members are selected on the basis of recognised expertise and serve a three-year term, ensuring both continuity and renewal.
The GRID Committee specifically focuses on monitoring and analysing issues related to gender, race, inclusion and diversity in Sport, promoting cooperation among stakeholders, identifying and disseminating best practices, and proposing policies and initiatives aligned with SIGA’s mission and Universal Standards on Sport Integrity.
Particular note is made of the reappointment of Brian Lewis as Co-Chair, ensuring continuity of leadership and strategic direction. The Committee has been carefully constituted to reflect a diverse and multi-stakeholder composition, bringing together experts from different regions, sectors and professional backgrounds, in line with SIGA’s global and inclusive approach.
The composition of the SIGA GRID Committee for the 2026–2029 mandate is as follows (in alphabetical order):
Co-Chairs:
- Brian Lewis, Secretary General, CANOC (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Daniela Bas, Expert, Accessible Tourism of Minister of Disability, Italian Council of Ministers; Former Director, United Nations (Italy)
- Densign White, CEO, IMMAF; Council Member, SIGA (England)
Members (in alphabetical order):
- Ângela Melo, Former Director, United Nations (Mozambique)
- Angela Smith, Former Chair, Stoke City FC Supporters Council; International Consultant, Beswicks Sports Ltd (England)
- Keith Jones, President & CEO, Soul Touchin’ Experiences (United States of America)
- Mark Colbourne PLY, Paralympic Gold Medallist; SIGA Champion (Wales)
- Marketa Haindlova, President, Czech Footballers’ Union; Board Member, FIFPRO Europe (Czech Republic)
- Pablo Perel, Director, Judicial School of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- Pernille Blume, Olympic Champion, Board Member, World Aquatics & European Aquatics (Denmark)
- Rafael Correia, Founder, DeResponsa (Brazil)
- Susana Feitor OLY, President, Sports Foundation of Portugal (Portugal)
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s Global CEO welcomed the new SIGA GRID Committee members:
“This Committee brings together a high-calibre and globally representative group of leaders whose experience and perspectives will significantly enhance the Committee’s work. It reflects both continuity and renewal, and I am particularly encouraged by the strong gender parity achieved across its membership.
I wish to express our sincere appreciation to all members for accepting to join SIGA and for their commitment to advancing our reform agenda. I am confident that their collective expertise will add real value to our deliberations and support the delivery of meaningful and lasting progress across the global sport ecosystem.”
Through this renewed composition, SIGA further strengthens the role of the GRID Committee as a strategic platform to advance inclusive policies, foster meaningful change, and support the development of a more equitable and representative global sport sector.
In the coming weeks, SIGA will be announcing the composition of the remaining Permanent Committees.
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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.