Commonwealth Sport has unveiled the St John’s Sports Pledge, a new initiative aimed at harnessing the power of sport to address major societal challenges, including public health, economic development and international cooperation.
The proposed Pledge was announced at the inaugural Commonwealth Sport Summit, held on 2 November alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
Bringing together government ministers, elite athletes and senior sporting leaders, the summit explored how sport can contribute to healthier, more inclusive communities and deliver benefits beyond competition.
The draft Pledge sets out ten proposed commitments across three key areas: building resilient, healthy and inclusive societies; driving economic prosperity through sport; and strengthening unity, cultural understanding and international cooperation.
Its ambitions include improving population health, empowering young people, advancing disability inclusion, supporting sustainable sporting events, creating employment opportunities and using sport to strengthen relationships between Commonwealth nations.
The initiative builds on the momentum of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games and the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad in 2030 offering further opportunities to maximise sport’s social and economic impact.
Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare said the initiative represented an opportunity to demonstrate the wider value of sport to governments and communities.
He emphasised that sport should remain central to national conversations throughout the four-year Commonwealth Games cycle, rather than being celebrated only during major events.
Sir Vivian Richards, cricket legend and Special Envoy to CHOGM 2026, also highlighted sport’s ability to inspire young people, unite communities and create opportunities for future generations.
The draft Pledge will now be developed in consultation with Commonwealth Games Associations before being presented to governments for agreement through the newly established Commonwealth Sport Coordination Forum.
The Forum will meet annually to strengthen government collaboration and review progress against shared priorities, helping ensure sport continues to make a meaningful difference across the Commonwealth.
