Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Chris Jenkins thanked the 74 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) Members for their immense work and support in securing a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and looked forward to an “exciting new dawn” for the Commonwealth Sport Movement at the 2024 General Assembly that was held virtually on Thursday 12 December.
Jenkins, alongside CEO Katie Sadleir, welcomed online Members from across the Commonwealth, chairing his first General Assembly since becoming President last year.
“We have been inspired by the enthusiasm that has been expressed for the Commonwealth Games and thank all CGAs who have been involved in the 2026 process for their hard work and commitment,” said Jenkins. “In particular, the CGAs that put their hands up with interest to host for 2026 and who worked tirelessly to develop exciting new concepts in a very short period of time.”
The President reviewed a year of significant progress for the Movement in his opening remarks, looking back on the Commonwealth Sport development Programmes, particularly the Para athlete development and inclusion programme GAPS which held two Global Camps in Birmingham and Mauritius, and the Game Changers development project funded by the Commonwealth Sport Foundation making a difference in Eswatini and many other Member countries.
“Together, we can change mindsets, inspire, and achieve so much. The initiatives I have seen and discussed with our Members in my first year have shown me how alive and impactful Commonwealth Sport can be, and we must continue capturing and celebrating these stories.
“As we approach our 100th Anniversary in 2030, the Commonwealth Sport Movement is uniquely positioned to address some of the most urgent challenges we face today. We can proudly look forward with confidence in the long-term future of the Commonwealth Games, with belief in who we are and what we stand for, and with conviction in our role as leaders of sport within the Commonwealth.”
Jenkins gave special thanks to Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) for their innovative hosting proposal for 2026, saying, “Glasgow 2026 will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of the future – an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible, and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact – in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting the Games in future.”
Ian Reid, President of CGS, presented an extensive overview of Glasgow 2026 preparations so far.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh also expressed his support to the Members via an emphatic video message.
During the General Assembly, CGA Members formally approved the Americas region’s election of Claire Carver-Dias as Regional Vice President for the remainder of the 2024-2027 term.
Following the untimely passing of Judy Simons last January, the CGF Executive Board had appointed Carver-Dias to hold this position until this General Assembly.
Members of the Commonwealth Sports Movement who have sadly departed since the last meeting were also remembered and celebrated:
- Pat Bolger, Canada
- Alphonso Bridgewater OBE, St Kitts & Nevis
- Ian Brown BEM, Scotland
- Laurie Buyers, New Zealand
- Marise Chamberlain, New Zealand
- Michelle Fazzari, Canada
- Michael Kenny, New Zealand
- Edward Millard, Canada
- Bruce Pirnie, Canada
- Gordon Singleton, Canada
- Kiingi Tuheitia, New Zealand
- David Wilkie MBE, Scotland
- Joyce Yakubowic, Canada
- Judy Simons, Bermuda
To celebrate service to the Commonwealth Sport Movement, Kereyn Smith received the CGF Honorary Life Vice-President award and Harry Murphy the Honorary Life Member award.
CGF Vice-President Sandra Osborne SCM, SC hailed the contribution of Smith, who has served the Commonwealth Sport Movement for more than 20 years, holding several important roles in sports administration including serving as Secretary General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association, as Vice President of World Netball, and as Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
“I want to say thank you for the opportunity to be part of Commonwealth Sport, I have absolutely loved my time on the Committees and working with the wonderful folk from across the Commonwealth,” said Smith. “I thank the CGF Executive Board for the acknowledgement, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee. I am honoured and humbled to receive the award.”
CGF Vice-President Hugh Graham praised the dedication of Murphy, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Gibraltar, who served as the Regional Vice President on the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation from 2019-2023 and was Chef de Mission for Team Gibraltar at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
“I am honoured … the award has come as quite a shock as I didn’t expect it,” said Murphy. I thank the Executive Board for the recognition.”
The awards will be presented at the next in-person General Assembly in 2025.
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