Twentytwo13

SIGA pays tribute to Italian magistrate Franco Frattini

Franco Frattini’s outstanding contributions to sport integrity were officially recognised by Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) via a Special Recognition Award, the highest honour conferred by the world’s leading coalition in the field of sports governance and integrity.

SIGA global chief executive officer, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, presented the award during a ceremony in Rome earlier this week, on the Italian magistrate’s last day in office as SIGA independent chairman – a position he held since 2017.

In addition, the SIGA Council unanimously appointed Frattini as SIGA honorary chairman.

To mark this passing of the torch, Frattini said: “I am extremely proud of the remarkable impact and growth of SIGA in recent years, and I feel very honoured to have stood shoulder to shoulder with de Medeiros, our council members, and the entire SIGA global community on this journey we first embarked upon together all those years ago.”

“I have absolutely no doubt that SIGA will go from strength to strength and continue its pioneering leadership in the field of sport integrity.

“The need for SIGA is greater than ever. Keep pressing for change, for greater honesty, for greater integrity, because without integrity, sport is nothing.
“You will always have my unconditional support and sincere recognition.”

According to de Medeiros, Frattini has been absolutely instrumental to SIGA’s pursuit of sport integrity reforms from the first day of his appointment as chair.

“And he will continue to do so as honorary chair.

“Frattini leaves a lasting legacy that we will endeavour to build upon in the months, and years ahead.

“He will remain an integral part of the SIGA family. To achieve reform and positive change, sports need heroes who are willing to walk the talk, and Franco is undoubtedly one of them,” de Medeiros added.
On Sept 12, Frattini announced that he would no longer serve the Geneva-based organisation.

In making the emotional revelation during the opening ceremony of Sport Integrity Week 2022 (SIW2022), Frattini said he was unable to carry on, as he had been named Italy’s Supreme Court president.

Frattini was a former Italian minister who also once served as a European Union commissioner.