In a time when integrity and ethics among sports officials are being questioned, the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) launched its new chapter – SIGA Asia.
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, SIGA’s co-founder, global chief executive officer and executive chairman, said the new chapter symbolised the launch of a movement in the region.
“Why SIGA Asia, why Dubai, why now? You are probably wondering,” said de Medeiros. “Because integrity cannot wait. Because leadership demands action. Because the future of sport deserves to be built here, and now.
“With the establishment of SIGA Asia, we are not just launching an organisation – we are launching a movement.”
He added that SIGA Asia will promote good governance and ethical leadership, build regional capacity through education, training and certification, foster collaboration between public authorities, businesses and sports organisations, empower women and youth, and benchmark progress through independent verification and rating.
“Transparency will strengthen credibility; credibility will attract investment; and investment will create opportunities for athletes, organisations, and communities across Asia.”
He said this at the launch of SIGA Asia in Dubai on Nov 12. The ceremony was held during the inaugural Sport Integrity Forum Asia, hosted by the International Sports & Entertainment Zone (ISEZA) with the support of the Dubai Sports Council.
Alongside SIGA America, SIGA Europe, and SIGA Latin America, SIGA Asia becomes a core continental branch of SIGA’s global structure, leading sport integrity efforts across Asia.
Twentytwo13 is SIGA’s official media partner and a supporter of SIGA’s Sport Integrity Month.
Malaysia, for one, recently made international headlines for the wrong reasons following Fifa’s sanctions on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). This comes after Fifa said the national body had submitted doctored documentation for seven of its ‘heritage’ footballers. FAM is now expected to pursue the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Meanwhile, the Sports Commissioner’s Office is reportedly investigating Malaysia Athletics after a constitutional change allowed Datuk Karim Ibrahim to helm the association – despite claims that Karim had been banned by World Athletics from holding office. A CAS ruling in 2018 upheld that Karim was guilty of misusing athlete allowances during a 2009 training camp and had advised athletes to evade doping tests before the 2011 SEA Games.
These latest episodes have created uproar among fans and lawmakers. In light of these developments, lawyer Richard Wee told Twentytwo13 there is a need for the introduction of a Sports Integrity Act to show that Malaysia and the guardians of sport are serious about promoting integrity. He also called for the creation of an independent Sports Integrity Agency, deriving its powers under the Sports Integrity Act.
