Caitlin Dillon
The Sports Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) Regional
Summit, taking place at Qatar’s Marsa-Malaz Kempinski under the patronage of
the Ministry of Culture and Sports, began this morning with inspirational talks
and discussions from international industry experts on the issues surrounding
integrity in sports.
The talks, entitled, “The Power of Collective Action in The Middle
East, Asia and Africa,” aim to promote clean practise across the board in the
sports industry.
Following an introduction from Broadcaster and Digital Media Expert,
Rhodri Williams, along with a welcome message from Mohammed Hanzab, Chairman
and CEO of ICSS, a series of discussions took place.
SIGA’s CEO, Emanuel Macedo De Medeiros, gave a call to arms during his
talk, ‘Collective Action and The Global Push for Sport Integrity’, encouraging
listeners not to, “remain neutral,” adding, “roll up [your] sleeves, and fight
for sports integrity.”
Meanwhile, Dahlan Al Hamad, IAAF Vice President, and President of the
Athletics Association promised the congregation that the IAAF World Athletics
Championships, taking place in Qatar for the first time in the Middle East in
just 11 days, will be “XXXXXXX.”
The discussions will continue tomorrow with discussions with
high-profile experts, entitled, “Sport Integrity and Global Business,” “Sport
Integrity: A Catalyst for Development, Legacy and Peace,” as well as “Female
Leadership in Sport - A Call For Action,” and “Media Rights and Digital Piracy
- A Hot Issue at the Heart of Sport Integrity.”