At the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sporting Equals CEO, Arun Kang, and Ambassador and England & Great Britain Hockey International, Darren Cheesman, will be speaking at a Gathering of All Leaders in Sport forum in Doha from 9-11 December, with the aim of educating delegates on the effects of cultural differences on participation in sport, as well as discussing how to eliminate prejudice in sport.
Kang says he hopes to take global sports leaders beyond the legal and ethical benefits of inclusion, to create social progress through promoting the business case to diversity, by using the Sporting Equals equality and diversity model - Inclusive Club.
He commented: "Clubs have been trying to address race and equality issues for some time, but they haven't worked out how to do it effectively and to the advantage of the business.
"Presently clubs respond to issues by adjusting systems and procedures, but for a club to invest and fully commit to equality and diversity, it needs to see that this agenda will support its business development. Sporting Equals can show them how to embed diversity within the culture of the organisation to their advantage."
Cheesman adds: "Prejudices still exist and I have felt the effects throughout my career. As a young boy new into the sport, as a convert to Islam, and through 'banter' in the changing room, I have often felt I didn't belong.
"It's vital to create a culture that welcomes difference and variety, whilst maintaining the standards that are required to ensure we are successful."
The agenda includes discussions on the importance of empathy, understanding, knowledge and commitment to assess and bring diversity into any sports organisation in order to increase participation and reduce prejudice.
Inclusive Club is a programme created to take sport beyond the legal and ethical benefits of inclusion and to identify the commercial benefits to each unique organisation. It supports organisations to gain the maximum business impact from being equal and diverse, as well as help to mitigate against risk.
