Commonwealth stresses sport's potential to boost development, and central place in society, with two new appointments

(London) - On the day which marks 400 days to go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the important role of sport as a catalyst for peace and development initiatives and its growing importance in promoting healthy and active lifestyles, has been recognised by two new appointments by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

Louise Martin, Honorary Secretary of the CGF and the Chair of SportScotland, has been appointed Chair of CABOS – the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport; and

Gideon Sam, President of SASCOC, the South African Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the CGF, has been appointed by the CGF executive board to Chair its new development committee.

CABOS was established by the heads of Commonwealth governments in 2003 as the key sports policy advisory body to the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth member governments on sports policy. Its membership is made up of the leading sport and development experts and senior sports officials from across the Commonwealth.

Current areas of focus for CABOS include strengthening sports role in meeting the Commonwealth’s development goals, as well as addressing threats to the integrity of sport such as monitoring and addressing illegal and irregular betting and match-fixing and supporting efforts to ensure that sports governing bodies are well-governed, transparent and democratic.

To do this CABOS identifies, analyses and disseminates research, resources and examples of 'best practice'. It develops policies and helps co-ordinate efforts between Commonwealth countries and with other international bodies such as the United Nations International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace.

Louise Martin, the new Chair of CABOS said: "I’m really honored and delighted to be accepting this role, because I truly believe that sport is what really binds the Commonwealth together.

"Commonwealth countries are uniquely placed to learn from each other and work together to maximize our efforts. We can be tremendously powerful when we pull together as a team.

"I would also like to thank Professor and Olympic athlete Bruce Kidd, who’s done an amazing job as Chair of CABOS for the past four years, and built its credibility and voice. It’s time now to build on that hard work."

The CGF’s new development committee was established by the Federation’s Executive Board at their meeting in Samoa earlier this year, following a recommendation from a recent review of the CGF’s strategy, activities and processes last year.

The Federation is placing greater emphasis on developing sport throughout the Commonwealth, and using sport to achieve development objectives.

Gideon Sam, the new Chair of the CGF’s Development Committee, said: "I’m very pleased to have been appointed Chair of the Committee, whose membership will comprise me and the six Regional Vice Presidents on the CGF’s Executive Board. There’s a great opportunity before us to ensure that the Commonwealth Games is the best possible stage not just for the very best in sport, but also for improving the lives of people across the Commonwealth.

"I’d also like to congratulate my colleague Louise Martin on her appointment to the Chair of CABOS. This is a great step towards proper coordination of our efforts. Sport as our focus in the CGF will benefit tremendously by the appointment of Louise.

"I know that the task given to our Development Committee by the CGF will call for many hands on deck and we are well aware of the task facing us. However on the committee are men and women who have been involved in sport development for decades. It’s on their shoulder that rests the responsibility to guide the 71 nations which comprise the CGF membership towards genuine development within their territories."

For more information or photographs contact:

Peter Murphy, Head of Communications, Commonwealth Games Federation p.murphy@thecgf.com +44 (0)207 491 8801

Or

Richard Uku, Director of Communications, Commonwealth Secretariat r.uku@commonwealth.int +44 (0) 20 7747 6500

NOTES TO EDITORS

SASCOC is South Africa’s national multi-coded sporting body responsible for the preparation, presentation and performance of teams to all multi-coded events, namely the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Games, All Africa Games, Olympic Youth Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and Zone VI Games. See more at http://thecgf.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=f10a798540c235ff87d5c474b&id=010677454d&e=46225e60ad

CABOS is an independent advisory body providing support and advice to the Commonwealth Secretariat and member governments on sport policy, particularly Sport for Development and Peace (SDP). CABOS was established at the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and endorsed by Commonwealth sport ministers in 2004. See more at http://thecgf.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f10a798540c235ff87d5c474b&id=f689b95eba&e=46225e60ad

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games. It comprises 71 member Commonwealth Games Associations from the nations and territories of the Commonwealth. At the heart of the CGF’s work is the will to promote and celebrate a unique, friendly and world class Games which will inspire and unite the Commonwealth. See more at http://thecgf.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f10a798540c235ff87d5c474b&id=fbb5afc502&e=46225e60ad

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