[Source: SIGA.] SIGA has taken another significant step to promote good governance in Sport by today establishing a Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion.

This new Standing Committee is set up against a background of increasing incidents relating to racism, gender inequity and other forms of negative discrimination across the global sports industry.

The new SIGA Standing Committee will build upon the important work of a multi-stakeholder Task Force that SIGA established earlier this year on this same topic, leading to a series of cutting-edge recommendations that were publicly announced just two months ago during the first-ever Sport Integrity Week. Such recommendations included a review of the SIGA Universal Standards on Good Governance in Sport to include new evolving good practices in this area, such as unconscious bias training for employees of sports organisations, by way of example of a new gold standard.

This newly formed Standing Committee is Chaired by Brian Lewis, President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and member of the SIGA Council, while Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of United States Center for SafeSport, will be the Vice-Chaired.

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO of SIGA and Chairman & CEO of SIGA AMERICA, stated:

“Look around us. Can any of us be insensitive to what’s happening around us and pretend it’s not our business? Of course, not! Sport can do more. Politicians and business leaders can do more. Each one of us can do a lot more to eradicate racism and inequality, in all its forms, from Sport and, through Sport, from our society. And, if we can, we must!

As we enter into a slow and painful recovery from the global pandemic, there is no better time to remember that, in Sport as in life, regardless of race, gender, place of birth, zip code, religious beliefs or sexual orientation, everyone must be entitled to the same rights and opportunities as others. This is a fundamental human right, and it is our moral imperative to do everything in our power to make sure that respect, tolerance and equality are more than just words. With the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion we will muster the leadership and foster the necessary culture change.”

Commenting on his appointment as Chair of the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport, Brain Lewis, who also holds the office of President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee (CANOC) and is a member of the SIGA Council, stated:

“The SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Inclusion and Diversity is historic and significant with an incredible opportunity to be a force and catalyst for positive change within global sport. To be asked to chair the Standing Committee is an awesome honour and responsibility. Coming from a small Caribbean Island it’s a significant statement of inclusion and diversity by SIGA.” Leading the Way for Sport Integrity Worldwide

Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of United States Center for SafeSport and newly appointed Vice-Chair of the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport, concluded:

“I am proud to help lead SIGA’s initiatives around race, gender, diversity, and inclusion, as we work toward sport environments inclusive of all athletes. Leveling the playing field and creating systemic culture change begins with promoting athlete safety and well-being. I welcome the opportunity to apply what we have learned here in the U.S. and to work with experts from around the world with the goal of influencing change on a global scale.

The full composition of the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport is a s follows:

Chair Brian Lewis President, TTOC & CANOC | Member, SIGA Council

Deputy Chair Ju’Reese Colón CEO, US Centre for SafeSport

Members Affy Sheikh Head of Starlizard Integrity Services, SIGA Member

Angela Smith Chair, Stoke City Supporters Council, Member of GB World Champion Squash Team & SIGA Mentor

Arun Kang OBE CEO, Sporting Equals

Densign White MBE CEO, IMMAF, SIGA Member

Karin Korb Wheelchair Tennis 2-Time Paralympian & 10 -time member of USA World Team & SIGA Champion

Michelle Chai COO, Olympic Council of Malaysia & SIGA Mentor

Stacey Copeland First British Woman to win the Commonwealth Title for Boxing & SIGA Champion

Taylor Green Member, SIGA Youth Council & SIGA Mentee

Hear Brian Lewis and Densign White speak about “The Impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement” at Host City 2020. Register for free here: https://www.hostcity.com/host-city-2020-free-registration