Dr. Donald Rukare Elected President of Commonwealth Sport

Dr. Donald Rukare, an accomplished sports administrator and human rights lawyer, has been elected President of Commonwealth Sport (CS) during the organisation’s General Assembly held in Glasgow. His election marks a historic milestone, as he becomes the first individual from the Africa region to lead the global sporting body.

Rukare’s ascension comes at a defining moment for the Commonwealth Sport Movement, with preparations intensifying for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the confirmation of Amdavad, India, as host of the Centenary Games in 2030. His leadership is expected to propel the Movement into a new phase of transformation, inclusion, and strategic growth.

A Leader With Three Decades of Multidimensional Expertise

Dr. Rukare brings more than 30 years of experience across sport governance, law, diplomacy, and international development. His leadership journey spans several influential roles, including:

World Aquatics Bureau Member

Vice President of Africa Aquatics

Vice President of Commonwealth Sport

President of Commonwealth Games Uganda

Interim President of Commonwealth Sport

His election signals the overwhelming confidence of the 74 member nations and territories in his vision for a united, athlete-focused, and future-ready Commonwealth Sport Movement.

A Vision Rooted in Athlete Empowerment and Sustainable Games

In his manifesto, Dr. Rukare committed to championing an athlete-centred approach across all Commonwealth Sport activities. Central to his agenda is advancing the 'Games Reset' initiative, which aims to create a more flexible, sustainable, and inclusive hosting model—opening doors for diverse nations to stage the Games without overwhelming financial or infrastructural demands.

His leadership priorities include:

Strengthening technical and financial support for member Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs)

Expanding flagship development programmes such as:

GAPS, which provides inclusive high-performance sport pathways

eqUIP, which nurtures young leaders across the Commonwealth

Building strategic partnerships that enhance global visibility and capacity

Engaging new fans—particularly young people—through modern, innovative platforms

Rukare: “Honoured by the Trust of Our Commonwealth Sport Family”

In his acceptance message, Dr. Rukare expressed deep gratitude and outlined his commitment to transformative leadership:

“I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by our Commonwealth Sport family. I thank the membership for their support and pledge to serve with integrity, passion and transparency. Together, we will build on the momentum of Glasgow 2026, showcase the next generation of stars at the Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games and prepare for an inspiring centenary Games in India in 2030. Our athletes deserve every opportunity to shine, and I am committed to ensuring that Commonwealth Sport remains athlete-centred and a force for unity, excellence, and impact across all our regions.”

Commonwealth Sport Leadership Welcomes His Election

Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir commended Dr. Rukare’s election, describing it as timely and strategically significant:

“On behalf of CS, I warmly congratulate Donald on his election. His bold and collaborative leadership comes at a crucial time for our Movement, as we embrace transformation and prepare for milestone Games in Glasgow and Amdavad. Donald’s commitment to sustainable development and the values that unite our diverse family align perfectly with the vision laid out in our ‘Commonwealth United’ Strategic Plan. We look forward to continuing to work together to evolve the Movement, support athletes, and thrill fans.”

A New Chapter for Commonwealth Sport

Dr. Rukare’s election ushers in a new chapter defined by inclusivity, athlete empowerment, sustainability, and modernisation. As the Movement advances toward three major events—Glasgow 2026, Malta 2027 Youth Games, and the landmark 2030 Centenary Games—his leadership is set to shape the future trajectory of one of the world’s most enduring international sporting communities.