Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador calls for a formal review of sporting inequalities and constructive dialogue on reparatory justice.

The Commonwealth should examine how historical inequalities continue to shape who participates in, leads and benefits from international sport, Ambassador Dr. Clarence E. Pilgrim has urged.

Delivering the “Way Forward Reflections” at the Commonwealth Sport Summit for Development and Peace on Nov. 2, Pilgrim called for respectful dialogue on sports reparations and proposed that Commonwealth Sport commission a review of historical sporting inequalities and their present-day consequences.

The review would examine unequal access to resources and international competition, the movement of sporting talent and developing countries’ ability to retain expertise. It would recommend practical measures for Commonwealth leaders.

The proposal builds on an international discussion already developing within sport.

In July 2026, the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Commonwealth Sport and the United Nations human rights office convened a Glasgow conference dedicated to reparatory justice in and through sport.

Participants considered how enslavement, colonialism and their legacies have shaped who gets to play, lead and benefit from sport, and how sporting institutions might advance truth, justice, repair and reconciliation.

Commonwealth Sport has also identified historical injustice as a priority in its foundation’s development model and points to its Declaration on Reconciliation and Partnership with Indigenous Peoples as part of its work on truth and reconciliation.

Pilgrim seeks to extend that discussion to structural disadvantages experienced by developing and small states.

He linked the issue to sport’s wider economic importance. The World Economic Forum estimates the global sports economy at US$2.3 trillion annually and projects growth to US$3.7 trillion by 2030.

The St. John’s Sports Pledge emerged from the summit as a draft framework for action.

Commonwealth Sport announced Nov. 3 that the draft would be developed further in consultation with member Commonwealth Games Associations before being shared with governments through the Commonwealth Sport Coordination Forum.

Its published themes include inclusion, economic prosperity, cultural heritage and international cooperation. Sports reparations have not been announced as an adopted commitment.

Pilgrim is calling for member states to ensure that historical inequalities receive deliberate consideration as the pledge develops.

His proposal seeks a review and constructive dialogue, rather than a predetermined finding of liability, so evidence can inform a fairer Commonwealth sporting system across member countries.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Who Benefits From Commonwealth Sport? Pilgrim Puts Historical Inequality and Reparations on the Agenda.