London, 14 June 2018 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) is pleased to announce a new cooperation agreement with the illustrious George Washington University (GWU) in the United States of America, with both organisations partnering in London ahead of the beginning of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday 14 June.

The new agreement between the organisations is the first of its kind for SIGA with an academic institution that will begin the ‘SIGA University Network’ as the Alliance unites with other leading institutions from across the globe.

The aim of this network is to develop a series of joint initiatives in the field of sport governance and integrity including Masters level curriculum on Sports Integrity, thought leadership, research on a wide number of key topics and other initiatives of common interest.

SIGA will also join the George Washington University as it hosts ‘The Power of Sport’ workshop as part of its Sport Philanthropy Certificate programme in Central London on Thursday. The event will share best practices and new initiatives in sports for social good before a screening of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup.

As the world’s largest coalition in the field of sport’s governance and integrity, the agreement will see SIGA develop a module with GWU in relation to their highly ranked Master of Science in Sport Management programme, creating joint research activities and policy papers on relevant topics regarding sport integrity and support each other on current and future projects.

Another segment of the agreement will offer Students enrolled at GWU the opportunity to intern, both at SIGA and SIGA member organisations in 2019.

GWU will also formally join SIGA as a Committed Supporter during the Sport Integrity Forum IV and General Assembly, taking place at the United Nations Office in Geneva on 26-27 July 2018. You can register for the event by visiting the Eventbrite page – https://sportintegrityforum.eventbrite.com.

Ahead of the signing of the agreement, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, CEO of SIGA, said: “This new agreement with George Washington University is an important first step for SIGA as we value the role of academia. This partnership is the first of many featuring some of the world’s leading universities to enhance our fight for sport integrity.

We need a new culture where sport integrity is at the top of the agenda with the hope that current and future leaders will drive the change and reform needed across sporting organisations.

 The principles behind this new agreement are those which are at the core of SIGA’s values. We hope through the sharing of information, knowledge and best practice in matters relating to sport we can show how this can reinforce, prevent and more effectively combat the threats to win the fight for integrity while moving our reform agenda forward.

 George Washington University is a highly regarded institution for developing the leaders and entrepreneurs in the sport management industry and it is hoped that other universities will join SIGA in the implementation of setting the highest standards of integrity across sport.”

Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Director, M.S. in Sport Management and Associate Professor of Sport Management at George Washington University, said: “This cooperation stems on the shared vision of SIGA and the GWU Sport Management programme to ensure a bright future for sport with safe and fair participation for all athletes, guided by leaders who know and practice good governance.

Money should not corrupt sport but help expand programmes to benefit more people. Sport is a powerful tool for positive change if used correctly.”