Colombo, 15 July 2026 –The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) proudly represented the Asian region at the prestigious 9th International Working Group (IWG) Global Summit on Women and Sport, held from 9 to 11 July 2026 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

 

Recognised as the world's largest international gathering dedicated to advancing gender equality in and through sport, the Summit brought together more than 1,200 delegates from across the globe, including policymakers, athletes, academics, researchers and sports leaders. Organised by the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) with the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the three-day event served as a global platform to share research, exchange best practices and develop strategies to accelerate progress towards greater inclusion and equal opportunities for women and girls in sport.

 

Representing Asia at this distinguished forum were Ms. Niloo Jayatilake, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Chairperson of the Gender Equity Committee of NOC Sri Lanka and Executive Board Member of the Olympic Council of Asia, together with Ms. Hiruni Munasinghe, IOC Certified Safeguarding Officer.

 

A significant highlight of the Summit was Ms. Jayatilake's participation as a speaker during the Continental Sessions, where she presented the "Sri Lanka Story", sharing the country's journey, achievements and ongoing efforts in promoting gender equity, women's leadership and inclusive opportunities in sport. Her presentation showcased Sri Lanka's progress while contributing to meaningful dialogue among continental representatives on advancing women in and through sport.

Throughout the three-day Summit, delegates engaged in high-level discussions on key themes including women's leadership, governance, safeguarding, athlete welfare, participation pathways, policy development and creating sustainable systems that empower women and girls at every level of sport.

 

Speaking on the significance of the Summit, Ms. Niloo Jayatilake said, "It is a great honour to represent Asia and to present the 'Sri Lanka Story' as a speaker at the Continental Sessions of the 9th IWG Global Summit on Women and Sport. Sharing our journey, achievements and challenges with a global audience was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the progress Sri Lanka has made in promoting gender equity and empowering women through sport. The valuable exchanges and collaborations over the past three days have strengthened our resolve to continue building inclusive, safe and sustainable pathways for women and girls in sport, while contributing to the wider advancement of gender equality across Asia and the Olympic Movement." The Summit also celebrated the continued global impact of the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration on Women and Sport, first introduced in 1994 and updated in 2014. Today, the Declaration has been endorsed by more than 600 organisations worldwide, serving as a guiding framework for governments, sports organisations and institutions committed to advancing gender equality through sport.

 

The participation of Ms. Jayatilake and Ms. Munasinghe reflected Sri Lanka's continued commitment to strengthening gender equity, safeguarding and inclusive leadership within the sporting movement. The knowledge gained, international partnerships established and best practices shared during the Summit will further support NOC Sri Lanka's ongoing efforts to create safe, inclusive and empowering sporting environments for women and girls across the country.

 

The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside regional and international partners to promote equal opportunities, strengthen women's leadership and drive meaningful, lasting change through the power of sport

 

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