The inaugural Commonwealth Sports Summit will be held as part of the CGF General Assembly in Edmonton ©CGF

The inaugural Commonwealth Sports Summit will be held at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in Edmonton in October, with Canada’s Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough named as one of the headline speakers.

The event, due to take place on October 6, will bring together sports leaders and stakeholders from across Canada and the Commonwealth’s 71 nations and territories.

It is due to be chaired by Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Scott Russell, an award winning sports anchor in Canada.

During the conference, held under the theme of “It’s Within Us”, a number of contributions, workshops and panel discussions focused on governance, organisational culture, integrity, youth, human rights and sport for development and peace are due to be held.

Qualtrough is a former swimmer and represented Canada at the 1988 and 1992 Paralympic Games in Seoul and Barcelona, winning three bronze medals. 

She took office in November 2015.

Qualtrough has been named as a speaker alongside Baroness Patricia Scotland, the newly-elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Chief Ava Hill, who was a strategic advisor on the Aboriginal Leadership Partnership of the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, as speakers at the event.

The CGF have also announced representatives from several Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) will address the audience at the Summit.

CGF President Louise Martin believes the Summit can open new opportunities for the Commonwealth ©Twitter
CGF President Louise Martin believes the Summit can open new opportunities for the Commonwealth ©Twitter

“Innovative and collaborative partnerships and open and courageous discussions are at the heart of what we do,” CGF President Louise Martin said.

“I hope the newly-launched Commonwealth Sports Summit will be an inspiring and engaging conversation with sports leaders from across Canada and the broader Commonwealth - and I am so grateful to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the many other esteemed speakers and contributors, who will support us in nurturing and developing the Commonwealth Sport Movement now and into the future.”

Those interested in registering for the Commonwealth Sports Summit can buy tickets at early-bird prices on a first-come, first-served basis for CAD$149 (£89/$115/€104) before August 12.

“Canada has a history of 'firsts' in Commonwealth Sport including hosting the first Commonwealth Games in Hamilton in 1930 and showcasing Para-sports at a Games for the very first time, when they were an exhibition event in 1994,” Commonwealth Games Canada President Richard Powers said.

“Continuing this tradition we are delighted to host the first Commonwealth Sport Summit.”