International Sports Policy Leaders Deliver Key Actions on Sport Integrity

Lisbon, March 17, 2015: The inaugural Inter Regional Sports Policy Summit drew to a close in Lisbon today with members agreeing to drive forward a common agenda in the fight for integrity, good governance and sound development in sport.

The Summit was hosted by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and included representatives from the major linguistic blocks and other international organisations. The outcomes of the Summit highlighted the need to create strategic task forces to address reform in the following key policy areas: sport integrity, sport and economic development, good governance and financial integrity and youth development and child protection.

Once established, the task forces will work towards developing a blue-print model for structured National Integrity Units, explore the synergies between sport and economic development through participation in the ICSS Index survey, facilitate a knowledge and best-practice exchange in order to develop model regulations in the field of good governance and financial transparency and evolve the ICSS’s Charter for Youth Development and Child Protection.

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said:

“The time has come to move beyond platitudes and instigate solid action in the areas of good governance and the integrity of sport. The past two days have shown there is a strong desire by members of the international sporting community to develop clear resolutions and bring about real change.

“Such was the significance of the Summit that, following its conclusion, we had an audience with the Portuguese Parliament to present our recommendations and we are confident they have been well received. The ICSS is determined to drive forward the key outcomes from the Summit and we look forward to a continued close relationship with our colleagues from the linguistics blocks.”

Also speaking on the final day of the Summit, Louise Martin, Honorary Secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Chair of the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport, said:

“In my capacity as Honorary Secretary it is clear to me that the Commonwealth, as a regional block, is leading the way with innovation in sports policy as demonstrated by the position taken at the 7th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in July last year when sports integrity policy was a key point of focus for all Commonwealth institutions.

“It is in partnership with our colleagues in the CPLP, La Francophonie and the Organisation of Ibero-American States that we continue to inspire change and reform in this critical area of sports policy.”

About the Inter Regional Sports Policy Summit

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. Hosted by the ICSS, it aimed to develop solutions to the challenges facing the integrity, good governance and sound development of sport.

Present at the event were representatives from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the Commonwealth of Nations, theOrganisation of Ibero-American States (OEI), the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States and the Arab League.

Also present were leading international organisations such as UNESCO, UNODC, the Council of Europe and the European Commission and representatives from FIFA TMS, UEFA, the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Portuguese Olympic Committee and dignitaries Emídio Guerreiro, Portugal’s Secretary of State of Sport and Youth, Miguel Cardenal, Spain’s Secretary of State of Sport and Secretary General of the Ibero-American Council of Sport and the Rt Hon Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

About the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)

The ICSS is a globally-renowned and respected leader in sport governance, safety, security and integrity. It is an independent and non-profit organisation, at the forefront of efforts to safeguard sport. It plays an increasingly integral role in addressing critical issues in sport such as corruption, betting fraud, financial integrity and child protection, as well as major event safety and venue security.

The ICSS’s team of international experts, advisors and specialists – from sectors including law enforcement, international policy, sport, government and anti-corruption – has a wealth of experience and knowledge gained from working within sport and governmental organisations, such as the United Nations, UNICEF, INTERPOL, the European Union, the IOC, FIFA, UEFA, EPFL, as well as national police forces. —- By: Amelia Fisher-Starzynski

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