18 Feb 2022

Global voice for women's sport lends support to IWG work

Global voice for women's sport lends support to IWG work news article image

Payoshni was appointed as the first-ever CEO for the Global Observatory for Women, Sport, Physical Education and Physical Activity in January and has more than a decade of experience working closely with female athletes across Asia and Africa to help drive better human rights in sports.

A former badminton player, Dr Mitra’s work includes supporting athletes to communicate more effectively with local or national sport governing bodies and other stakeholders as well as actively campaigning for the abolition of unsolicited physical examinations in women’s sport.

The UK was awarded hosting rights of the IWG in July last year, a bid which the Sport and Recreation Alliance coordinated.

Speaking about the Secretariat returning to the UK, Payoshni said: “UK is well-positioned to drive global progress in this area and I am really excited to see that the IWG is back where it all began nearly three decades ago.

“I was incredibly impressed by the bid which embodied the kind of passion and enthusiasm that’s required to make a real difference in sport.

“At this crucial moment in the history of women’s sport, I am really pleased to see UK IWG Secretariat’s emphasis on systemic reform to the structure and values of sport.”

Dr Elizabeth Pike, Professor of Sport, Health and Exercise at the University of Hertfordshire and the IWG UK’s Research Lead-elect, added: “We are delighted to have someone as prestigious as Payoshni fully support the work the UK is doing to transform sport to ensure it is fully inclusive of women and girls across the world. 

“Having positive feedback from such a strong advocate of inclusion and non-discrimination in sport offers the potential for powerful collaboration as we jointly seek to bring about societal change and social equity.

“We can learn so much from Payoshni’s expertise and experience in this field and, on behalf of everyone involved in the bid, I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to her for sharing our ambitions.”

Latest News

28 Mar 2025

Parliamentary launch for new EMD UK and Alliance report highlighting immense social value of group exercise

The Sport and Recreation Alliance were delighted to facilitate a Parliamentary launch for a new research report ‘The Social Value of Group Exercise’, commissioned by EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise.

Read more Arrow Right
27 Mar 2025

Spring Statement: Sport, recreation and physical activity sector urges Government to protect investment to boost health and growth

The National Sector Partners Group* (NSPG) has issued the following statement in response to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

Read more Arrow Right
26 Mar 2025

Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO Gives Evidence to DCMS Select Committee

On 25 March, CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance Lisa Wainwright MBE gave evidence to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s Game On Inquiry in Parliament.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoGateley Legal logohelp me Angela logoHowden logoMarsh Sport logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo