GENEVA: Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, the current Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) global chief executive officer, has announced his re-candidacy as the organisation opens its 2026 electoral process.
Should de Medeiros be successful, this would mark his third and final mandate leading the world’s largest independent sport integrity coalition.
The election, governed by the SIGA Constitution and overseen by an independent ad hoc electoral committee, will not only determine the next CEO but also the future composition of the ethics and audit and compliance committees.
Reflecting the strategic weight of the position, the election follows a stringent two-stage process. As such, de Medeiros must first secure the vote of the SIGA Council on March 16. This result is then subject to ratification by the SIGA General Assembly on March 26, where a “qualified majority” of two-thirds is required to confirm the appointment.
This high threshold is designed to ensure the leadership commands broad, cross-sector support from SIGA’s diverse global membership.
In a video message accompanying his announcement, de Medeiros framed his platform around accountability and “decisive action”. He argued that the persistent challenges facing global sport are often the result of “choices made or choices avoided”.
“Real progress depends on embedding integrity at the heart of governance and organisational culture,” he stated, positioning SIGA as a platform for “measurable results” rather than just rhetoric.
His pitch to the electorate focuses on:
- Strengthening transparency across the global sport ecosystem.
- Delivering SIGA’s reform agenda to establish permanent integrity standards.
- Encouraging cross-sector responsibility, calling on governments and businesses to move beyond passive support toward active contribution.
The deadline for candidacies is March 11 as de Medeiros enters the race with a significant track record, having been elected by unanimity and acclamation in both 2018 and 2022.
As the sporting world continues to grapple with complex governance issues, the upcoming vote will be seen as a litmus test for the continuity of SIGA’s current trajectory and its influence on international sporting standards.
Twentytwo13 is SIGA’s media partner.
