Cape Verde and ICSS embark on new journey to safeguard sport

Cape Verde, Nov 3, 2014: Following on from the support received from leading Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) Sport Ministers earlier this year, the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has just signed a wide-ranging partnership agreement with the Government of Cape Verde.

As part of the ICSS’s commitment to drive awareness at a government level about the importance of safeguarding sport, the agreement will see both parties work together to enhance sport safety, security and integrity, as well as youth sports development throughout Cape Verde, CPLP members and other Lusophone countries.

The ICSS and Cape Verde’s General Directorate for Sport (DGD) will also implement a range of programmes that will contribute to international efforts to protect sport, including the development and enhancing of a National Plan of Sports Ethics (PNED) which will draw upon the ICSS’s global programs on good governance, sporting and financial integrity, as well as consider the overall strategy developed by the Government of Cape Verde to protect the integrity of its sporting events and their young athletes.

Recognising the growing trend of integrity cases involving young athletes, the ICSS and DGD will also jointly organise a range of events, including conferences, seminars and workshops that will focus on protecting young athletes in sport, which will be supported by the ICSS’s forthcoming Charter on Sports Youth Development, a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting and implementation throughout the world best practice in terms of recruitment, training, education and protection of young athletes.

Speaking on the agreement, Mohammed Hanzab, ICSS President, said:

“This partnership with the General-Directorate of Sports (DGD) of Cape Verde is a historic moment for the ICSS and marks the first time that the ICSS has joined forces with African country to safeguard sport.

“Here at the ICSS, we believe that governments must take a lead and be at the forefront of the fight to protect sport and we are committed to developing a more international approach to tackling issues that affect its safety, security and integrity.

“I would like to thank Cape Verde for being the first African country to partner with the ICSS and look forward to building a safer future for young athletes and fans around the world.”

Dr. Gerson Sena de Melo, Director-General of Sports of Cape Verde, said:

“This partnership that we proudly establish with the ICSS will enable us to develop a common agenda on sports governance and strengthen our capacity to safeguard the future generations in our country. This will be carried out through the implementation of the best practice and key recommendations contained in the ICSS Charter on Recruitment, Training, Education and Protection of Young Athletes.

“Thanks to the ICSS, we will be better equipped to deal with the critical challenges facing sport in our country and preserve its ethics and financial integrity, as well as to promote the most adequate youth development policies, involving the Olympic Committee, the sports federations, clubs athletes and of course the youngsters.

“This memorandum of understanding, signed during the opening session of our second National Sports Conference, happens in a decisive time and represents an important and ambitious landmark for Cape Verde and our sport.”

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Chief Executive of the ICSS Europe, said:

“The ICSS and the Government of Cape Verde are both passionate about safeguarding sport for a new generation of young fans and athletes, and I am proud to be leading this initiative on behalf of the ICSS.

“As an important member of the CPLP, the Minister of Education and Sport of Cape Verde and the DGD will play an important role in promoting the importance of sport security and integrity within the vast community of Portuguese-language countries, as well as introducing crucial measures that will protect young athletes and fans, not just in Cape Verde, but across wider CPLP and Lusophone countries”

“With many threats now facing the sporting and financial integrity of sport, as part of my role as CEO of ICSS Europe, I am committed to supporting the ICSS’s work in the area around the globe and engaging with key countries and partners across Europe, Latin America and beyond.” —- By: Will Shand

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