SIGA Champions initiative adds three new sports legends

The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has appointed three new SIGA Champions during the Sport Integrity Forum Asia, Dubai Chapter, hosted at ISEZA’s headquarters in Dubai. The announcement was made during a panel discussion on the topic “Athletes Leading the Way for Sport Integrity”, as part of the Sport Integrity Action Month. With these appointments, the Global Coalition reinforces the growing reach and momentum of the SIGA Champions programme.

With these significant additions, the SIGA Champions group is now composed of a total of 28 athletes, and coaches, and growing.

Meet the new SIGA Champions (alphabetically listed):

• Jessica Smith OAM (Australia) — Swimming

Former Paralympic swimmer who represented Australia for seven years and competed at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Post-career, she became a leading body-image advocate (including work with the Butterfly Foundation), a high-impact MC and motivational speaker, and the author of Little Miss Jessica Goes to School, a children’s book championing inclusion and self-acceptance. She continues to inspire through advocacy and storytelling.

• Mark Colbourne MBE (United Kingdom/Wales) — Para-Cycling

Former Paralympic cyclist who represented Wales and Great Britain. Following a 2009 paragliding accident resulting in a spinal injury, he transitioned to para-cycling via Disability Sport Wales, winning multiple international medals, including gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where he also set a world record in the C1 3km individual pursuit. He was appointed MBE in 2013 for his achievements and resilience.

• Paulo Sousa (Portugal) — Football

Portuguese football manager and former elite midfielder. As a player, he won 11 major titles, including two UEFA Champions League trophies (with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund). As a manager, he has captured titles in Brazil, Switzerland, Hungary, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, among others – bringing a cross-continental perspective on leadership, performance, and integrity.

The SIGA Champions Programme mobilises athletes, former athletes, and coaches as ambassadors to advocate and act for integrity across SIGA’s four pillars: Good Governance, Financial Integrity & Transparency, Sports Betting Integrity, and Youth Development & Protection. From Dubai, SIGA reaffirmed that the programme will continue to scale – expanding its diverse, global roster and launching initiatives that strengthen trust, protect athletes, and engage communities.

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO, SIGA, said:

“By welcoming these exceptional Champions, we strengthen a truly global movement — one that puts integrity where it belongs: at the very heart of sport and society.

Their journeys remind us that integrity is not a slogan or a soundbite. It’s a daily commitment — to fairness, respect, and accountability — made in the spotlight and behind the scenes alike. These are the values that give sport its power to inspire, to unite, and to lead change.

At SIGA, we are building a future where diversity is celebrated, transparency is non-negotiable, and every athlete and fan can trust the game they love. I have no doubt that these Champions will ignite that spirit in others — proving that integrity is not just a value we uphold, but a cause we live for”.

SIGA will announce additional Champions and collaborative initiatives in the coming weeks, further broadening the programme’s impact.

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