Sports leaders call for greater international collaboration in fight for integrity in sport
Lisbon, Portugal; 16th March 2015:
Leaders in international sports policy gathered in Lisbon today to engage in high-level, pioneering discussions at the Inter Regional Sports Policy Summit hosted by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS).
The Inter Regional Sports Policy Summit is the first of its kind to bring together key decision-makers from major linguistic blocks, Sports ministers and leading international institutions, to develop solutions to the challenges facing the integrity, good governance and sound development of sport.
EmÃdio Guerreiro, Secretary of State of Sport and Youth, Portugal and Vice President of the Conference of Ministers of Sport of the CPLP, said:
”The realisation of the Inter Regional Sports Policy Summit, in Lisbon, is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen international cooperation in sports public policies, particularly in the area of integrity, sports and financial, good governance and the protection of minors.
”Moreover it constitutes also an important recognition of the leading role that Portugal has had in these matters at national level, through the implementation of the National Plan on Ethics in Sport (PNED), and internationally, in the active and committed participation of our country in the preparation the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and the priority assigned to the strengthening of cooperation within the CPLP, to safeguard the integrity of sport and promote the highest ethical standards in sport.
In his opening address, Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said:
”The ICSS is passionate about safeguarding sport from the growing and complex challenges it faces. However, we recognise that sport, and indeed countries, cannot confront these challenges alone. It requires a shared common agenda and global collaboration.
“Never before has a group of experts and leaders from the world’s regional linguistic blocks come together to discuss the pressing issues of sport integrity and policy. It is a truly historic gathering and an incredible opportunity that we must grasp. The contamination of sport can bring it down to the lowest possible level. We must not let that happen.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, CEO of ICSS EUROPE, said:
“Through the Inter Regional Sports Policy Summit we want to increase understanding of the issues and establish a framework for continued, structured dialogue. To kick start a globally coordinated and concerted effort to safeguard sport and to develop real solutions that will drive much needed reform.
”As leaders of some of the world’s major linguistic blocks we have shared values, history and language. This promotes constructive dialogue and means we are well positioned to be the catalyst for long overdue change and the robust preservation of the integrity, positive social impact and sound development of sport.”
During a productive first day participants discussed the importance of international cooperation and global leadership in sporting integrity and the development of National Sport Integrity Units. Debate focused on a model for their anatomy, as well as an implementation plan.
Representatives from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the Commonwealth, the Organisation of Ibero-American States (OEI) and the Organisation of French-Speaking Countries (Francophonie) are all present.
Also in attendance are high-ranking government officials such as Spain’s Secretary of State of Sport and the Secretary General of the Ibero-American Council of Sport, Miguel Cardenal, the Rt Hon Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council as well as senior representatives from leading international organisations UNESCO, UNODC, the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Representatives from FIFA TMS, UEFA, the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Portuguese Olympic Committee are also participating.
