UK Sport board member Louise Martin has been elected as President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Louise, who became a UK Sport board member in June 2008 when she was appointed Chair of Sportscotland, will replace Prince Imran of Malaysia after winning a vote at the general assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Auckland, New Zealand. She was also Vice Chair of the Organising Committee for the highly successful Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: "This appointment is further evidence that the UK is determined to play a key role in the development and governance of international sport, and we’d like to congratulate Louise on her election to President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
"Her roles as Chair of Sportscotland, UK Sport Board member, Honorary Secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Vice Chair of the Organising Committee for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have given her a clear understanding of the power of sport to change lives and communities, nationally and internationally. I am confident Louise has all the qualities needed to take the Commonwealth Games Federation forward and build on the incredible success of Glasgow 2014."
Martin had campaigned on a manifesto for change entitled ‘Unlocking Our Potential’ which outlines how she will work collaboratively with all CGAs, International Federations, Organising Committees and other Commonwealth stakeholders to bring much needed change to the Movement.
Amongst a number of key pledges she will make it a priority to ensure that the best Commonwealth athletes want to compete in the Games, that they become strong advocates for the competition and that the CGF has a flagship event for which multiple countries want to bid.
A delighted Louise Martin said: “From my earliest days competing as an athlete to my time serving the CGF Executive board, the Commonwealth sporting family has had a profound effect on my life. I am extremely proud and humbled to be elected as President of the CGF and it is my chance to give something back to the movement that means so much to me.
“I believe that the time is right for a new style of leadership to ensure that together we can fully unlock our potential and deliver on the needs of CGAs and our wider partners, especially in terms of maximising commercial opportunities. If we get this right, we can deliver enhanced revenues to support every CGA as well as Commonwealth sports development through greater investment.
“There is also so much more we can do to grow the profile of our great sporting movement across the world to ensure that its unique identity is valued and our Games attract the best Commonwealth athletes, sponsors and, critically, future host cities. As someone with a proven track record of collaboration and delivery, as well as dedication and passion for the movement, I am proud to have been elected by the CGAs who have shown they believe I am the right person to guide the CGF through the next stage of its Commonwealth journey and unlock the immense potential of our unique sporting movement.”
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