Commonwealth Sport’s role amplified at CHOGM: The call for strategic action and deeper collaboration

Against a backdrop of resilience, climate action, and inclusive growth—hallmarks of this year’s CHOGM theme, "One Resilient Common Future"—sport was positioned not merely as an athletic pursuit but as a transformative force within the Commonwealth. 

In this historic CHOGM, held for the first time in a small island state, Samoa showcased its culture and heritage, reminding attendees of the intertwined relationship between sport, identity, and development. Nowhere was this message more visible than during the Commonwealth Sport Breakfast, attended by over 130 heads of state, ministers, senior officials and multidisciplinary partners from across the Commonwealth. Hosted jointly by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Government of Samoa, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the breakfast presented a strategic blueprint for a reset in Commonwealth sport. 

Redefining Sport for Development and Peace 

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland, set the tone, underscoring the Games’ broader mission: “Sport is more than competition—it is a powerful catalyst for social change. It promotes health, well-being, peace, and inclusion while driving economic growth.” Through impassioned discussions, leaders explored how sport could address the pressing challenges of the 21st century, from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to climate action. 

CGF President Dr. Chris Jenkins introduced a visionary model rooted in the Samoan fale (traditional gathering place), symbolizing inclusivity and respect. This model proposes a “reset” for the Commonwealth Games, emphasizing accessibility, sustainability, and a commitment to five pillars of wealth creation: sport, cultural, social, diplomatic, and economic wealth. With equal importance granted to each pillar, the Commonwealth Sport Movement aims to build a united and resilient Commonwealth.  

"Sport deserves a higher status within governments,” said Dr. Jenkins. “By intentionally leveraging its power, sport can shift mindsets and support national development priorities.” This vision for the Commonwealth Games aligns with calls from various Commonwealth leaders to elevate sport within governmental and developmental frameworks, particularly for its potential to enhance health outcomes, bolster youth employment, and bridge social divides. 

Tackling Health Challenges Through Sport 

Public health, especially the threat of NCDs, emerged as a priority area. With NCDs posing significant challenges to Commonwealth nations, the breakfast discussions and side events dedicated to health promotion, highlighted sport’s preventive potential, particularly in promoting physical activity and mental well-being. Leaders committed to addressing these challenges collaboratively, with community-based approaches and targeted health education emphasized as critical pathways. 

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa of Samoa articulated the stakes: “Now more than ever, the value of physical activity cannot be overstated. Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease continue to threaten our people’s health. Sport becomes a critical part of the solution.” 

Empowering Youth and Prioritizing Inclusivity 

Beyond health, inclusivity was at the forefront of CHOGM discussions. Layne Robinson, the Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, underscored the importance of placing marginalized groups—children, women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and indigenous groups —at the heart of the Commonwealth’s sustainable development agenda. 

During the Youth Forum, CGF President Jenkins reiterated sport’s role in empowering young people and supporting individual development, fostering employment opportunities and providing a platform for athlete advocacy.  

At a dedicated side event on disability inclusion, the Commonwealth Special Envoy on Disability Inclusion, Anne Wafula Strike joined Dr Jenkins in sharing stories of how sport can serve as an empowering force for individuals with disabilities, pushing for policies that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity within sport and beyond. Here the integrated model for para-sport in the Commonwealth Games was celebrated along with stories of impact from the Commonwealth Games GAPs programme to promote para-sport participation across the Commonwealth.  

Indigenous Rights and Environmental Responsibility 

Indigenous rights and environmental responsibility were also spotlighted as essential elements of Commonwealth’s future. Sport’s role was again highlighted as an enabler here. Leaders called for integrating traditional games and indigenous knowledge into the Commonwealth Sport Movement, advancing unity and resilience while honouring the Commonwealth’s cultural diversity. The discussions paralleled the Commonwealth Sport Declaration on Reconciliation and Partnership with Indigenous Peoples, underscoring the movement’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. 

On the climate front, the CGF lent its support to the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, a project aiming to remove over a million pieces of plastic from Commonwealth beaches by 2026. The campaign aligns with broader climate finance initiatives championed at CHOGM, including Canada’s recent CA$4.65 million pledge to the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub. As CGF President Jenkins noted, “Sport has the power to mobilize communities for sustainability and climate action… “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Royal Commonwealth Society and look forward to working closely with our Commonwealth Athletes and Games Associations on an innovative new relay to champion sustainability and climate action through sport as part of the countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Games”.

The Future of the Commonwealth Games: Innovation and Accessibility 

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s recent decision to award Glasgow the 2026 Games was emblematic of the CGF’s reset agenda and focus on creating a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable model for the Games. With a commitment to co-hosting and reduced hosting costs, as well as the intentional focus on creating common-wealth both on and off the pitch make the Games more attractive and position it as central to the Commonwealth movement as a whole.  

Building a Resilient Commonwealth Through Sport 

CHOGM underscored that the Commonwealth stands at a critical juncture, and Commonwealth Sport will be critical to securing this resilient, common future. To maximize sport’s contributions to resilience and sustainable development, leaders advocated for stronger partnerships, greater resource allocation, and more robust knowledge-sharing across Commonwealth nations. The vision is clear: a future where sport acts as a unifying force, a platform for global advocacy, and a driver of equitable development. 

The Commonwealth Sport Movement’s ambitious agenda is undoubtedly a call to action. As the Commonwealth looks to its centennial celebration in 2030, sport has a renewed mandate—to be not only a vehicle of competition but a pillar of hope, health, and unity. For this vision to materialize, governments, private sectors, and civil society must harness sport’s full potential, realizing its promise as a transformative agent within the Commonwealth.