Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros highlights the need for action at the Ibero-American Forum on Sport, Inclusion and Sustainability
Sport has a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to lead by example. That was the message delivered by SIGA’s Global CEO, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, at the FIDIS Forum in Madrid, where he spoke about the urgent need to embed integrity and sustainability at the core of the sports industry.
“If sport doesn’t lead, who will? Let’s not leave it to the next generation – let’s live for the next generation.”
In his keynote address during the opening ceremony, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros confrmed that Sustainability will become SIGA’s fifth Universal Standard on Sport Integrity, joining Good Governance, Financial Integrity, Sports Betting Integrity, and Youth Development & Protection. The new standard will be published by the end of 2025 and integrated into SIGA’s independent rating system, SIRVS.
“We started with four Universal Standards. Today, we are adding a fifth – one that speaks to the future. Sustainability in Sport is no longer optional. It is essential.”
Addressing stakeholders from across the Ibero-American region, he emphasised the potential of sport to contribute meaningfully to global priorities such as environmental protection, social inclusion, and ethical leadership.
“Sport is not just a game, not just entertainment, not just business. It is a global force, a universal language — and with that power comes responsibility.”
SIGA’s CEO outlined three key areas where collective leadership is essential:
- Leagues and clubs: “Don’t wait for regulation. Be the regulation.”
- Sponsors and investors: “Don’t just fund sport. Fund its future.”
- Athletes: “Use your voice. Inspire change.”
He also stressed the need for sustainability to move from intention to implementation:
“Let’s make inclusion and sustainability part of every playbook, every matchday, every locker room – and every boardroom. This is the time for courage. This is the time for responsibility.”
The upcoming Universal Standard on Sustainability in Sport will provide clear, measurable criteria to help organisations assess and improve their performance in areas such as climate impact, circular economy, human rights and community legacy. Verified independently through SIRVS, it will give sports stakeholders the tools they need to take action transparently and effectively.
The FIDIS Forum, held during Sports Summit Madrid, brought together leaders from across the region to discuss sport’s role in shaping a fairer and more sustainable society. SIGA’s presence reinforced its ongoing support for collaborative, multi-stakeholder reform.
“This is not just another initiative. This is a global movement. It’s irreversible. It’s unstoppable”, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros added.
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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.
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