Sao Paolo, 10 September2023 - The Activities of the fourth edition of the Sport Integrity Week (SIW2023) concluded in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Organized by the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), SIW2023 was held in 35 cities worldwide, with the participation of a lineup of decision makers and representatives of governments, civil society, sports and economic sectors, along with experts and academics from more than 20 countries.
Chairman of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and Vice-Chairman of SIGA Mohammed Al Hanzab said that the success of the fourth edition of SIW2023 reflects the success of SIGA's initiatives over the past seven years in placing the issue of sport integrity on the agenda of international decision-makers.
He added that they were proud that the event became the only global platform for discussion and dialogue among all stakeholders in the world to confront the various challenges in global sports, expressing his sincere thanks to the State of Qatar for successfully organizing an aspect of the work to deliver the most prominent message to devote the protection of international spot integrity as a legacy and a necessary requirement for the sustainability and protection of sports, a matter which reflects the leading position of the State of Qatar as the capital of global sports and reflects its established efforts that have enabled it to become among the countries of the world in various fields and in fighting corruption and promoting sport integrity.
The SIW2023 was held for the first time in 35 capitals and cities around the world, including Doha, New York, London, Paris, Geneva, Madrid, Lisbon, Sao Paulo, Mumbai, Guinea Bissau, Luanda and others, with international participation of prominent speakers from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East and Africa region.
Held in the first week of September every year, the global thought-leadership event is the pinnacle for all those in the sports industry with an interest in Sport Integrity. Building on the success of the previous three annual editions, the SIW2023 expand on the concept of the previous years, innovate, and increase its outreach in all continents.
During the week's sessions, the participants appreciated the efforts of SIGA in leading global efforts to address corruption in sports, praising the great role played by the organization at the international level in unifying efforts and international cooperation to establish the principles of governance, financial transparency and integrity in the global sport industry. Among key participants in this year forum were European Union, Dow Jones, HBKU and Notre Dame University, in addition to representatives from the Brazilian Government and Congress, SIGA Youth Council, Sports Innovation Lab, and renowned clubs, including Sao Paulo, Racing, Belenenses, Boavista, Atlético Mineiro, among others.
Furthermore, High profile sponsors including Mastercard, Gol Airlines and EY together with institutional giants such as the OECD, UN and IACA, high profile sports governing bodies including UEFA, FIFA, LEN, FIDE, UEFA AAA, and World Rugby, football leagues such as Liga Portugal, Swiss League and Qatar Stars League, national Olympic committees including TTOC amongst others, and media giants AlKass, ESPN and Globo also attended.
The SIGA Sport Integrity Week 2023 featured an outstanding Qatari participation, with the Founder and Chairman of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), and Vice Chairman of SIGA Mohammed Hanzab and HE Director of the QOC's Legal Affairs Department Sheikh Ahmed bin Noah Al-Thani delivering inaugural remarks before a high-level panel discussion under the theme of governance in sport: from the region to the world.
Organized by the UNESCO Chair in governance and social responsibility in sport at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in collaboration with SIGA, the event was held at the Education City in Doha with the participation of Vice President of FQSA Salman Al Ansari as keynote speaker.
Among the key Qatari participants were the Executive Committee member of Qatar Football Association and CEO of Qatar Stars League Hani Taleb Ballan who deliver inaugural remarks before a panel discussion on changing global knowledge, importing expertise, and exporting excellence. Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development at the Qatar Stars League (QSL) Ahmed Khellil Abbassi will also participate in as a keynote speaker in a panel discussion themed: football in the Middle East: using integrity as a catalyst for growth.
The week included a number of high-level discussion sessions on various themes and issues, most notably "Challenges of Sustainability and Sport Integrity," "Law and Sport Integrity," "Multiple Club Ownership," "Sports Betting Integrity," and "E-Sports Integrity" , "Governance in Sports," and "Financial Transparency." The Sport Integrity Week saw the organization of the 'Sport Integrity Forum Latin America', hosted by SIGA Latin America, in cooperation with the Sao Paulo Football Club in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with more than 35 high-level speakers taking part from various sectors.
It also witnessed a web-based discussion seminar on online abuse in sports, hosted by SIGNIFY, a company specializing in ethical data science using machine learning and big data analysis.
The works also included numerous sessions among them a session entitled: sustainability and integrity - the most exigent challenges hosted by the Portuguese club Clube de Futebol "Os Belenenses" and a session entitled: laws, provisions and sports integrity organized by a Portuguese legal services group, as well as a session entitled: training federations on integrity hosted by a Swedish rugby union team in Gothenburg, Sweden.
