SIGA
Football Integrity Match and Sport Integrity Forum to take place in São Paulo in November
The Sport Integrity Week, now in its fifth annual edition, is the world’s largest event dedicated to promoting and celebrating Sport Integrity.
The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) have just announced that the Sport Integrity Week 2024 with kick off with two flagship events in São Paulo: the Football Integrity Match and the Sport Integrity Forum Latin America. MorumBis Stadium, home of São Paulo FC, a SIGA member since 2023, will be the central venue. The first event will be held on Saturday, September 9, and the second on Monday, September 11.
The Sport Integrity Week, now in its fifth annual edition, is the world’s largest event dedicated to promoting and celebrating Sport Integrity. In 2023, over 70 SIGA partners hosted events, involving more than 170 organizations across all continents, in 35 cities and 22 countries, with a significant impact on global media. In 2024, the event promises to be even more impactful.
The kick-off will take place on November 9, with another edition of the Football Integrity Match. This initiative will bring together sports and business leaders, celebrities, media, and civil society on the field. Continuing the tradition, the teams will be mixed-gender and the match will be played without referees.
The teams will represent four fundamental causes – including (1) the fight against Racism, (2) the promotion of Gender Equity, (3) Mental Health, and (4) Sustainability – reflecting some of SIGA’s social priorities. It will be a grand display of fair play and ethics in Sport.
In the 2023 edition, stars like Palhinha, Zetti, Silas, Grafite, and Ronaldão, as well as Alline Calandrini and SIGA Champion Kelly Santos, joined representatives from sports governance and business leaders, along with other stakeholders in Brazilian sports. This year, the number of players and the reach of the involved organizations will be expanded.
Following the celebration of Integrity on the pitch, the Sport Integrity Forum Latin America 2024 will take place on Monday, November 11, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. In 2023, the event attracted more than 250 renowned professionals from sports, government, finance, business, media, and civil society. This year’s edition will once again bring together leading national and international experts in a private and ideal environment for networking.
‘Crucial milestone’
Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO, SIGA; Chair & CEO, SIGA LATIN AMERICA, emphasized the importance of Sport Integrity Week 2024, thanked all partners, and invited all interested entities and individuals to participate in the celebration:
“The Sport Integrity Week represents a crucial milestone for the global sports industry – Brazil included. This is a moment to unite efforts and converge in action for Sport Integrity. Therefore, I urge everyone – athletes, coaches, leaders, sponsors, government institutions, economic agents, and civil society – to get involved. Organize your own initiatives. Promote this ideal whose time has come: the ideal of an integral, inclusive, and credible Sport. A Sport capable of meeting the expectations and responsibilities of today’s world.
Brazil is experiencing a unique moment. A turning point in its history. As it presides over the G20, modernizes its economy, hosts major sporting events, regains its prestige and international influence, and focuses on the environment, sustainability, and social causes to build a more just, supportive, and sustainable society. We are confident that Sport will not be left out and will seize this unrepeatable opportunity. We are grateful, therefore, to the members of SIGA LATIN AMERICA, starting with São Paulo FC, and we welcome all those who will help us elevate the positive values of Sport to the podium.”
‘Moment of emotion’
Roberto Armelin, Executive Director of ESG, Risks, and Compliance at São Paulo Futebol Clube, a SIGA member, added:
“The Football Integrity Match is a behavioural experience of conscious practice of respect for all people, especially those who are different, and for the rules. A moment of emotion and healthy, respectful coexistence, which only sports can provide.”