View source for Commonwealth Games Federation

{{Short description|International organization}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}

{{Infobox organization
| image = Commonwealth Sport logo.svg
| alt = <!-- alt text; see [[WP:ALT]] -->
| caption = 
| map = <!-- optional -->
| predecessor = British Commonwealth Games Federation
| successor = 
| formation = {{Start date and years ago|1932|df=yes}}<br />as British Empire Games Federation
| extinction = <!-- date of extinction, optional -->
| type = [[Sports governing body|Sports federation]]
| status = 
| purpose = <!-- focus as e.g. humanitarian, peacekeeping, etc -->
| headquarters = [[London]], England
| coords = <!-- Coordinates of location using a co-ordinates template -->
| leader_title = Interim President
| leader_name = {{flagicon|UGA}} [[Donald Rukare]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.commonwealthsport.com/news/4248899/president-chris-jenkins-steps-down-from-role {{!}} Commonwealth Games Federation|website=thecgf.com|language=en|access-date=2025-04-15}}</ref>
| leader_title2 = Vice Presidents
| leader_name2 = {{flagicon|BAR}} Sandra Osborne<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/about/executive-board|title=CGF Executive Board {{!}} Commonwealth Games Federation|website=thecgf.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104185800/https://thecgf.com/about/executive-board|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />{{flagicon|COK}} Hugh Graham<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/about/executive-board|title=CGF Executive Board {{!}} Commonwealth Games Federation|website=thecgf.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104185800/https://thecgf.com/about/executive-board|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| leader_name3 = [[Charles III|King Charles III]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/about|title=The Commonwealth Games Federation {{!}} Commonwealth Games Federation|website=thecgf.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref>
| leader_title3 = Patron
| leader_title4 = Vice-Patron
| leader_name4 = [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|The Duke of Edinburgh]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/about|title=The Commonwealth Games Federation {{!}} Commonwealth Games Federation|website=thecgf.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref>
| leader_title5 = {{abbr|CEO|Chief Executive OFficer}}
| leader_name5 = [[Katie Sadlier]] {{flagicon|NZL}}
| key_people = 
| main_organ = <!-- gral. assembly, board of directors, etc -->
| parent_organization = <!-- if one -->
| affiliations = <!-- if any -->
| budget = 
| remarks = 
| footnotes = '''Values:''' ''Humanity {{*}} Equality {{*}} Destiny''
| name = Commonwealth Games Federation
| bgcolor = <!-- header background colour -->
| fgcolor = <!-- header text colour -->
| image_border = 
| size = 180px
| msize = <!-- map size, optional, default 250px -->
| malt = <!-- map alt text -->
| mcaption = <!-- optional -->
| map2 = 
| abbreviation = 
| region_served = 
| membership = [[Commonwealth Games Association#Current member associations|72 member associations]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/about|title=The Commonwealth Games Federation – About us|website=thecgf.com}}</ref>
| language = [[English Language|English]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/CGF%20Constitution%20Final.pdf|title=Byelaw 6 Official Language|website=Constitutional Documents of the Commonwealth Games Federation|publisher=CGF|page=33|access-date=2020-01-30|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/CGF%20Constitution%20Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| general = <!-- Secretary General -->
| num_staff = 
| num_volunteers = 
| website = {{official URL}}
| former name = 
}}

{{Commonwealth Games sidebar}}

[[File:Flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation.jpg|thumb|Flag of the Commonwealth Games Federation, 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham]]

The '''Commonwealth Games Federation''' ('''CGF'''), currently known as '''Commonwealth Sport''', is the international organisation responsible for the direction and control of the [[Commonwealth Games]] and [[Commonwealth Youth Games]], and is the governing body of the [[Commonwealth Games Association|Commonwealth Games Associations]] (CGA). The headquarters of CGF are located in [[London]], England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Commonwealth Games Federation |url=https://www.commonwealthsport.com/cgf |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Commonwealth Sport |language=en}}</ref>

==History==

Due to the success of the first [[1930 British Empire Games]] in [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], Canada, a meeting of representatives from Great Britain, its [[British dominion|dominions]], [[Crown colony|colonies and territories]] decided that the games, similar to the [[Olympic Games]] should be held every four years, and that an authoritative organisation should be formed. Following the [[1932 Summer Olympics]], it was decided to form the ''"British Empire Games Federation"'' who would be responsible for the organising of the games. The name of the federation was changed in 1952 to the ''"British Empire and Commonwealth Games Federation"'', and again in [[Jamaica]] in 1966 to the ''"British Commonwealth Games Federation"'', until eventually being changed again in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand, in 1974 to the ''"Commonwealth Games Federation"''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thecgf.com/games/story.asp|title=Commonwealth Games Federation – The Story of The Commonwealth Games|website=thecgf.com|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125811/http://thecgf.com/games/story.asp|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The youth version of the Commonwealth Games was launched in August 2000, which is known as the Commonwealth Youth Games. The inaugural edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games was first held in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland.

== CGF Executive Board ==

The following people are in the CGF executive board:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commonwealth Games Federation Executive Board |url=https://www.commonwealthsport.com/cgf/board |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Commonwealth Sport |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Designation !! Name !! Country
|-
| colspan="2" | '''Vice-Patron''' || [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|Prince Edward]] || {{ENG}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''Interim President|President'''||[[Donald Rukare]]||{{UGA}}
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |'''Vice-Presidents'''|| Sandra Osborne ||{{BAR}}
|-
| Hugh Graham || {{COK}}
|-
| rowspan="6" |'''Regional Vice-Presidents'''
| '''Africa'''|| Botsang Tshenyego ||{{BOT}}
|-
|'''Americas'''|| [[Claire Carver-Dias]] ||{{CAN}}
|-
|'''Asia'''|| Chris Chan ||{{SGP}}
|-
|'''Caribbean'''|| Ephraim Penn ||{{IVB}}
|-
|'''Europe'''|| Helen Phillips ||{{WAL}}
|-
|'''Oceania'''|| [[Craig Phillips (sports administrator)|Craig Phillips]] ||{{AUS}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''Athlete Representative'''|| Brendan Williams ||{{DMA}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''Audit & Risk Committee Chair'''
|Mary Hardy
|{{Flag|England}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''Medical Advisor'''
|Peter Harcourt
|{{Flag|Australia}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''CEO'''
|[[Katie Sadleir]]
|{{Flag|New Zealand}}
|-
|}
The following people are the Honorary members of the CGF executive board:
{| class="wikitable"
!Designation
!Name
!Country
|-
| rowspan="3" |'''Honorary Life Presidents'''
|Hon. Michael Fennell, [[Order of Jamaica|OJ]], [[Order of Distinction|CD]]
|{{JAM}}
|-
|[[HRH]] [[Tunku Imran]]
|{{MYS}}
|-
|[[Dame]] [[Louise Martin (sports administrator)|Louise Martin]], [[Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|DBE]]
|{{SCO}}
|-
| rowspan="7" |'''Honorary Life Vice-Presidents'''
|Alexander B. Chapman, HBM
|{{TTO}}
|-
|Sharad Rao
|{{KEN}}
|-
|Sir Austin Sealy, SCM
|{{BRB}}
|-
|Dr. [[Manikavasagam Jegathesan]]
|{{MYS}}
|-
|Gideon Sam
|{{RSA}}
|-
|[[Bruce Robertson (swimmer)|Bruce Robertson]]
|{{CAN}}
|}

== Organisation ==

===CGF General Assembly===

The General Assembly is the ultimate governance and authority in the CGF with powers to vote on decisions, including on which cities and Commonwealth Games Association's will host the [[Commonwealth Games]]. It consists of 3 or more representatives of a [[Commonwealth Games Association]] of each member countries and territories, the Vice-Patron, Life Vice-Presidents and the members of the Executive Board.

Sessions of the General Assembly are chaired by the CGF President, with each CGA and the President having one vote. However the Vice-Patron, Life Vice-Presidents, the Executive Board, representatives of an Organising Committee (OC) of a Commonwealth Games and observers invited by the President may deliberate but do not have voting powers at the General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/CGF%20Constitution%20Final.pdf|title=ORGANISATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS|website=Constitutional Documents of the Commonwealth Games Federation|publisher=CGF|pages=14–22|access-date=2020-01-30|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/CGF%20Constitution%20Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Honours ==

As well as awarding medals to athletes, the Federation may award membership of the Order of Merit (Commonwealth Games Federation) for distinguished services rendered to the Commonwealth Games movement, including the games themselves, to the federation and to a [[Commonwealth Games Association]]. The honour is awarded on the recommendation of the Executive Board at the General Assembly.

On recommendation of the Executive Board, at General Assembly the federation may also elect Life Vice-Presidents, providing there are no more than six Life Vice-Presidents at a time as an award for services to the CGF. Former Chairmen and presidents automatically become a Life Vice-President.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/CGF%20Constitution%20Final.pdf|title=Patron, Vice Patron, Honorary Life Presidents, Honorary Life Vice Presidents, Honorary Life Members and Order of Merit|website=Constitutional Documents of the Commonwealth Games Federation|publisher=CGF|page=12|access-date=2020-01-30|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://thecgf.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/CGF%20Constitution%20Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Leadership==

The '''President of the Commonwealth Games Federation''' is responsible for chairing the Executive Board and the General Assembly. A candidate is elected to the position by the General Assembly the year following the [[Commonwealth Games]]. Other duties include inviting the [[Head of the Commonwealth]] for the opening and closing declaration of the games and overseeing the preparations for upcoming events.

Previously before the [[1998 Commonwealth Games|XVI Commonwealth Games]] in 1998, the President was a ceremonial role, taking on the duties of the Vice-Patron. The late [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] served as the president between 1955 and 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/stories/queen-and-commonwealth-games|title=The Queen and the Commonwealth Games|work=CGF|first=Philip|last=Barker|accessdate=31 January 2023|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201021643/https://thecgf.com/stories/queen-and-commonwealth-games|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/sport|title=Sport|work=The Royal Family|accessdate=31 January 2023}}</ref> The chairman was elected by the General Assembly as head of the Commonwealth Games Federation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thecgf.com/games/cgf_heads.asp|title=Commonwealth Games Federation – Heads|website=thecgf.com|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044550/http://thecgf.com/games/cgf_heads.asp|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| style="width:90%;" class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:1%;"| No.
! style="width:10%;"| Name
! style="width:6%;"| Origin
! style="width:6%;"| Took office 
! style="width:6%;"| Left office 
! style="width:10%;"| Games
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:left;"| '''Sir James Leigh-Wood''', [[Order of the British Empire|KBE]], [[Order of the Bath|CB]], [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flag|England}}  
| style="text-align:center;"| 1930
| style="text-align:center;"| 1938
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[1930 British Empire Games|1930: I British Empire Games]]
*[[1934 British Empire Games|1934: II British Empire Games]]
*[[1938 British Empire Games|1938: III British Empire Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:left;"| '''[[Arthur Porritt, Baron Porritt]]''', [[Baronet|Bt.]], [[Order of St Michael and St George|KCMG]] [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]]
| style="text-align:center;"|  {{flagcountry|New Zealand}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 1950
| style="text-align:center;"| 1966
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[1950 British Empire Games|1950: IV British Empire Games]]
*[[1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1954: V British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958: VI British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1962: VII British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1966: VIII British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 3
| style="text-align:left;"| '''[[Alex Ross (rower)|Sir Alexander Ross]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"|  {{flagcountry|New Zealand}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 1968
| style="text-align:center;"| 1982
| style="text-align:center;"|
*[[1970 British Commonwealth Games|1970: IX British Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1974 British Commonwealth Games|1974: X British Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1978 Commonwealth Games|1978: XI Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1982 Commonwealth Games|1982: XII Commonwealth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 4
| style="text-align:left;"| '''[[Peter Heatly]]''', [[CBE]], [[Deputy Lieutenant|DL]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flag|Scotland}}  
| style="text-align:center;"| 1982
| style="text-align:center;"| 1990
| style="text-align:center;"|
*[[1986 Commonwealth Games|1986: XIII Commonwealth Games]]
*[[1990 Commonwealth Games|1990: XIV Commonwealth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:left;"| '''[[Arnaldo de Oliveira Sales]]''' [[Grand Bauhinia Medal|GBM]], [[OBE]], [[Justice of the Peace|JP]] 
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flagcountry|British Hong Kong}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994
| style="text-align:center;"| 1997
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[1994 Commonwealth Games|1994: XV Commonwealth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:left;"|  '''Michael Fennell''', [[Order of Jamaica|OJ]], [[Order of Distinction|CD]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flag|Jamaica}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 1997
| style="text-align:center;"| 2010
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[1998 Commonwealth Games|1998: XVI Commonwealth Games]]
*[[2000 Commonwealth Youth Games|2000: I Commonwealth Youth Games]]
*[[2002 Commonwealth Games|2002: XVII Commonwealth Games]]
*[[2004 Commonwealth Youth Games|2004: II Commonwealth Youth Games]]
*[[2006 Commonwealth Games|2006: XVIII Commonwealth Games]]
*[[2008 Commonwealth Youth Games|2008: III Commonwealth Youth Games]]
*[[2010 Commonwealth Games|2010: XIX Commonwealth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 7
| style="text-align:left;"|  '''[[Tunku Imran|Prince Tunku Imran of Negeri Sembilan]]'''
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flag|Malaysia}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 2010
| style="text-align:center;"| 2014
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[2011 Commonwealth Youth Games|2011: IV Commonwealth Youth Games]]
*[[2014 Commonwealth Games|2014: XX Commonwealth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 8
| style="text-align:left;"| '''[[Dame]] [[Louise Martin (sports administrator)|Louise Martin]]''', [[Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire|DBE]]
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flag|Scotland}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 2014
| style="text-align:center;"| 2023
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[2015 Commonwealth Youth Games|2015: V Commonwealth Youth Games]]
*[[2017 Commonwealth Youth Games|2017: VI Commonwealth Youth Games]]
*[[2018 Commonwealth Games|2018: XXI Commonwealth Games]]
*[[2022 Commonwealth Games|2022: XXII Commonwealth Games]]
*[[2023 Commonwealth Youth Games|2023: VII Commonwealth Youth Games]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:left;"| '''Christopher Jenkins'''
| style="text-align:center;"| {{flag|Wales}} 
| style="text-align:center;"| 2023
| style="text-align:center;"| 2025
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*None
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 10
| style="text-align:left;"| TBA
| style="text-align:center;"| TBA
| style="text-align:center;"| TBA
| style="text-align:center;"| TBA
| style="text-align:center;"| 
*[[2026 Commonwealth Games|2026: XXIII Commonwealth Games]]
*[[2027 Commonwealth Youth Games|2027: VIII Commonwealth Youth Games]]
|}

==See also==

*[[Global Association of International Sports Federations]]
*[[International Olympic Committee]]

== References ==

{{reflist|2|refs=
}}

==External links==

*[https://www.commonwealthsport.com/ Commonwealth Sport website]
*[https://twitter.com/thecgf The CGF on Twitter]

{{Commonwealth Games years|state=autocollapse}}
{{Portal bar|Sports|United Kingdom|London}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Commonwealth Games|Federation]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Family|Games Federation]]
[[Category:International sports organizations]]
[[Category:International organisations based in London]]
[[Category:Organisations based in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Sport in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Sports rules and regulations]]
[[Category:1930 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Sports organisations based in London]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1930]]
[[Category:International sports governing bodies]]