Commonwealth sports ministers reaffirm sport's role in development

Sports ministers, including Uganda's Sports Minister Peter Ogwang, and Games representatives from Commonwealth member countries met in Glasgow, Scotland, last month during the 23rd Commonwealth Games.

They reaffirmed the central role of sport in promoting community strength, inclusion, sustainable development, and unity across the Commonwealth.

Ministers highlighted sport's contribution to peace, social cohesion, youth empowerment, health, and economic opportunity. The meeting acknowledged the importance of emerging technologies, research, innovation, and investment in enhancing the sport ecosystem and emphasised collaboration among governments, academia, sport bodies, educational institutions, media, and the private sector.

Ministers welcomed the policy paper on Sport in the Commonwealth and supported proposals for renewed collaboration, a revised CABOS leadership model, and the creation of a virtual Commonwealth Sport Coordination Forum (CSCF) to improve coordination and support measurable contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. They encouraged the CSCF to reflect the Commonwealth's geographic and developmental diversity and stressed the need for practical resourcing, capacity building, and technical assistance to ensure meaningful participation by developing member countries.

Ministers reaffirmed the value of the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS) for dialogue and accountability and welcomed member countries' interest in the 2026–2028 cycle under the updated CABOS Terms of Reference.

Looking ahead to CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta, and the centenary Commonwealth Games in India in 2030, ministers recognised the opportunity to renew cooperation and reimagine sport's role in building healthier, fairer, and more equitable societies. They emphasised that major Commonwealth sport events should deliver lasting developmental legacies in infrastructure, skills, employment, and community upliftment and welcomed Commonwealth Sport's commitment to maximising these impacts in partnership with future Games hosts and stakeholders.

Ministers supported continued collaboration through agile, sustainable, and member-led approaches, including partnerships, regional cooperation, centers of excellence, and knowledge-sharing platforms. They reaffirmed their commitment to integrity and good governance in sport, including anti-doping, anti-corruption, safeguarding, and non-discrimination.

Ministers stressed the importance of including African member states, small island states, and Commonwealth territories in all aspects of Commonwealth sport development. They called for transparency and accountability in Commonwealth-wide collaboration, especially given resource constraints.

Ministers recognised the need for safe, inclusive, and equitable sport systems that respect human rights and address barriers to participation, particularly for women and girls, persons with disabilities, young people, Indigenous Peoples, and historically excluded communities. They affirmed that transformation in sport leadership, access, and opportunity is essential and that member states share responsibility for achieving measurable policy outcomes.

Ministers acknowledged global evidence that sport and physical activity are vital for public health, mental well-being, social cohesion, and economic resilience. They encouraged stronger cross-sector collaboration and increased investment in community sport and physical activity to drive healthier societies, youth development, innovation, employment, and sustainable growth.

Ministers noted that benefits are not evenly distributed and that countries with fewer resources need dedicated funding, targeted capacity building, partnership support, and investment readiness assistance. They encouraged collective action to develop an investment framework supporting under-resourced member states and strengthening evidence, partnerships, and investment in sport and physical activity.

Ministers recognised the reimagined approach to the Commonwealth Games movement, identifying Glasgow 2026 as a platform for innovation and sustainability. They welcomed Malta 2027 and India 2030 as opportunities to strengthen youth leadership and deepen partnerships. Ministers expressed strong support for hosting the Commonwealth Games in Africa in 2034.

They thanked the Scottish Government for hosting the meeting and wished Commonwealth Sport, the organising committee, and the Scottish Government success in delivering the 23rd Commonwealth Games.