The inaugural SIGA Summit on Female Leadership in Sport gathered in Dubai a powerful lineup of global leaders, changemakers, athletes, and advocates — both women and men — who are driving transformation in the world of sport. Held in alignement with the United Nations’ 2025 call to #AccelerateAction towards gender equity, the Summit marked a clear turning point.
SIGA, through SIGAWomen, went beyond statements to spark real change through bold conversations, practical initiatives, and a call to lead with purpose, integrity, and inclusivity.
In line with its mission to lead global reform in Sport Integrity, SIGA went beyond words and into action, driving bold conversations, launching new initiatives, and reinforcing its commitment to inclusive, purpose-driven leadership.
The Summit enabled global participation (via live streaming) while offering premium in-person networking, curated hospitality, and a vibrant Sunset Lounge experience — all set against the skyline of a city bridging continents and cultures.
Stay tuned for Video on Demand
Panel 1: Women at the Helm – Gender Equity, Governance & Cultural Change
Moderated by Moonira Ramathula, this panel brought to light the courageous efforts of women leaders shaping governance reform across sport. From football to cricket, speakers shared tangible strategies that demonstrate how diverse leadership enhances performance, innovation, and resilience in sport.
Budreya Faisal, Founder Banaat FC, Daniela Baumann, Founder, Women Leaders Club Dubai, Kattie Simmonds, Chair, SIGA Women; and Sally Clark, Senior Legal Counsel – Integrity & Regulatory, International Cricket Council, gathered to reflect on the reality: while sport should lead, it often lags behind in terms of gender equity at leadership levels. A strong call was made for solidarity among women — and the imperative of building governance systems where leadership talent thrives regardless of gender.
Panel 2: The Value Proposition – Unlocking the Commercial Power of Women’s Sports
In a powerful session moderated by Lisa King, speakers including Mona Elsaka (Mastercard) and Eugene Karasev (Adidas) discussed the immense — and still largely untapped — commercial potential of women’s sport.
Elsaka emphasized the role of sponsors: the more we invest, the more visibility women’s leagues and athletes gain. Karasev echoed this view, noting how new generations are reshaping consumer demand, pushing brands to embrace and promote equity.
The panel made it clear: audiences are growing, and brands are watching. With the right strategy, women’s sports can drive sustainable business growth and long-term market transformation.
Keynote & Fireside Chat: Sport UAE – Shaping the Future
H.E. Dr Mariam Matar delivered a compelling virtual address, weaving her scientific expertise with her vision for the UAE as a global hub for innovation in sport, health, and gender equity. Moderated by Jess Smith OAM, the session balanced humor with depth, leaving attendees inspired and engaged.
Dr. Matar’s insights into genetics, leadership, and inclusion offered a unique perspective on how science and sport can intersect to build healthier, more inclusive societies — both on and off the field.
More photos soon:
Keynote: The Coca-Cola Company – Empowering Women & Girls in the Middle East
Cynthia Karam of Coca-Cola took the stage to share the brand’s deep commitment to gender equity across the MENA region. Through powerful, often overlooked campaign stories, she showcased how a sponsor can serve as a true catalyst for empowerment — not just a logo on a jersey.
Her message was clear: the private sector has a vital role to play, not only in growing sport, but in shaping societal norms and opportunities for women and girls.
Panel 3: Mentorship Matters – Spotlight on SIGAWomen
The #SIGAWomen Global Mentorship Programme — now entering its seventh cycle — was at the heart of this session, moderated by Amy Gillingham. Over 300 women have already joined the movement, and more are stepping forward.
Speakers included Sylvie Vermeersch (Mastercard), Audrey Mothupi-Palmstierna, Jessica Smith, Viktoria Slavkova, and Marta Pires Pinheiro. Together, they emphasized that mentorship must start early and be continuous, ensuring women never walk alone in their personal and professional journeys.
Learn more about the programme and apply now
Panel 4: Sport & Sustainability – Creating Legacies
Moderated by Rebecca Dance–Shuker, this discussion tackled some of sport’s most pressing questions:
“How do we break old mindsets and drive lasting change?”
“How can sustainability and gender equity be fully integrated into sport?”
Aarti Dabas (Formula E), Georges El Hajj (Emirates NBD), and Jess Simnett (Alliance Football) shared their solutions and experiences, stressing that true sustainability must be rooted in inclusivity, innovation, and leadership that reflects our shared future.
Fireside Chat: Breaking Barriers
At just 16, Amenah AlMuhairi (Moon) — an Emirati snowboarding trailblazer — joined Katie Simmonds for a moving and deeply personal conversation. She spoke of courage, breaking stereotypes, and showing young girls across the region that no dream is off-limits.
Panel 5: Athletes with a Purpose
In this emotionally charged session, moderated by Dawn Barnable, three powerful voices took center stage:
Atiqa Asif Mir, 10-year-old F1 Academy driver; Amna Al Haddad, Emirati weightlifter and athlete; and Dawn Venturas, Head Coach of Team Saudi Paralympic Swimming.
Atiqa captivated the room with her maturity and honesty, sharing what it’s like to be the only girl on the track. Amna and Dawn offered compelling stories of overcoming barriers and building inclusive pathways for athletes of all backgrounds.
A shared message echoed: progress is being made — but it must not take another hundred years for a woman to lead the Olympic movement again.
Keynote: Accelerating Entrepreneurialism for Women in the UAE
Damir Valeev spoke to the UAE’s growing role as a launchpad for women-led ventures in sport, highlighting opportunities to drive innovation through entrepreneurship and female empowerment.
Panel 6: Allies – Agents of Change
This impactful session, moderated by Sara Essa, brought male allies into the spotlight. Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (SIGA), Manu Singh (Modon), and Rebecca Dance–Shuker shared personal and professional reflections on allyship, emphasizing that gender equity is not a women’s issue — it’s everyone’s responsibility.
The message conveyed by this panel was clear and heartfelt:
Empowering women must be done boldly, without hesitation. It’s personal. It’s professional. And it’s essential.
Keynote: Achievement for the UAE Badminton Federation
H.E. Noura Aljasmi delivered a proud moment for the UAE and for women in sport. As President of the UAE Badminton Federation, she outlined the federation’s recent milestones and was honored by SIGA with a custom-made crystal globe by Portuguese flagship brand Vista Alegre, symbolizing transparency and integrity — the very values SIGA promotes.
Looking Ahead: SIGA ASIA and the future of Sport Integrity
As the day drew to a close, Katie Simmonds returned to the stage to thank partners including Mastercard (Hosting Partner), The Coca-Cola Company Middle East (Official Partner), and SIRO Hotel One Za’abeel (Hotel Partner). SIGA’s Chief Commercial Officer, and SIGAWomen’s Council Chair outlined the main outcomes of the event.
The Summit concluded with Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s CEO, reference to the fact that Dubai saw the birth of SIGA ASIA, an initiative announced early in the day. Set to be launched in 2025, with the UAE shortlisted as its headquarters. As part of the closing ceremony, a SIGA shirt was offered to Mohammed Abdullah, the first Ambassador of SIGA ASIA.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros then shared a SIGA ASIA promotional video, and made a call to action:
“We are global not just in vision, but in results. Let’s build Sport into what Nelson Mandela once said it could be — a source of inspiration, a force for good, and a catalyst for a better world. Wear the SIGA shirt. Embrace our values. And join us at the forefront of this global movement.”
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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: [email protected].
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