Minister of Youth Sports & Culture, Daniel Johnson met with Sports ministers and senior officials from 43 Commonwealth nations in London on July 25 for the 6th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting. The meeting was chaired by Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics for the United Kingdom.
As the city of London welcomed thousands of athletes, officials and spectator’s focus was shifted from elite athletics and international competition, to the important contribution sport and physical activity can make to development efforts across the Commonwealth.
During the meeting, the delegates strongly endorsed a set of guidelines, which will assist governments to strengthen Sport for Development and Peace approaches, and incorporate sport-based activities into development programmes.
The framework, which was developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, provides guidance on integrating sport in development areas including health, education and peace building. Amongst other things, they promote the inclusion of women and girls, marginalised communities, and people with disabilities. They also stressed the safeguarding of participants in sport.
Ministers also agreed to collaborate on drafting another set of guidelines focused on governance in sport, and asked the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport to work with member governments on integrity issues, including illegal sports betting and match fixing.
Delegates also received an update on preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which is when they will meet again in the host city of Glasgow, Scotland.
Bahamas Information Services
Caption: Sports ministers and senior officials from 43 Commonwealth nations met at the 6th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting at Banqueting House on 25 July 2012 in London. (Photo courtesy of Bahamas High Commission in London).
