The Association of Portuguese-Speaking National Olympic Committees (ACOLOP) attended the Lusophone Workshop on the Prevention of Match-Fixing, organised by the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP), which brought together representatives from nine Portuguese-speaking countries and territories to promote cooperation and integrity in sport.
ACOLOP took part in the meeting through its chair, Filomena Fortes, and its executive director, Leonardo Cunha, at an event dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences and best practice in the fight against the manipulation of sporting competitions.
The workshop was attended by representatives from Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Macao (China), Mozambique, Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe, providing an opportunity to strengthen ties of cooperation between the Portuguese-speaking countries and territories in the face of a common challenge: safeguarding the integrity and cooperation within sport.
At the opening session, the President of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, Fernando Gomes, highlighted the importance of shared responsibility amongst countries and institutions, emphasising the need to translate dialogue and the sharing of experiences into concrete measures to prevent and combat match-fixing.
International experts emphasise the importance of prevention
The programme featured experts from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Interpol and the Council of Europe, who discussed prevention strategies, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, as well as the role of cooperation between sports organisations and the relevant authorities.
Among the key topics discussed were the Olympic Movement’s strategy for preventing the manipulation of competitions, raising awareness and providing training for those involved in sport, and the importance of establishing structures capable of protecting athletes and promoting a culture of integrity.
Participants also had the opportunity to analyse practical situations, applying the knowledge they had acquired to scenarios relating to the manipulation of sports competitions.
The initiative was supported by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programme, reinforcing the international dimension of cooperation in this area.
Portuguese-speaking cooperation in the defence of integrity in sport
ACOLOP’s participation in this meeting reaffirms the importance of collaboration between the National Olympic Committees whose official language is Portuguese in promoting Olympic values, ethics, transparency and respect for sporting integrity.
In a context where match-fixing poses a threat to the integrity of sport, the sharing of knowledge and the development of joint strategies are essential to strengthening sporting organisations and protecting athletes, officials and supporters.
ACOLOP thus continues to foster opportunities for dialogue and cooperation amongst its members, contributing to a Portuguese-speaking sports movement that is more ethical, responsible and committed to the principles of Olympism.
