U.S. Department of State
2017 GLOBAL SPORTS MENTORING PROGRAM In cooperation with The University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, & Society
SP RT 4
COMMUNIT Y
program
BOOK AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
IN LOVING MEMORY Dear Sport for Community family, During these five weeks of happiness as we receive 16 new international leaders for our 2017 GSMP: Sport for Community program, we come to this program with heavy hearts and great sadness for the loss of one of our sisters. Christine Agwang (or simply “Agwang” as her S4C 2016 family knew her) of Uganda died giving birth the week before the start of this program. We know her husband, family, university, and community are grieving her loss tremendously. It is so hard to lose someone you consider family, especially someone with Agwang’s soul. Many of the members of our team remember so clearly the day she sang the most powerful hymn to us in the conference room as last year’s program was concluding. It sent chills up our arms as her voice filled the room. She took us to church that day with her words—I’m sure we will never forget it. As someone who did not have a disability, Agwang worked tirelessly and passionately for people with disabilities in her community. As a lecturer at Kyambogo University, she trained more than 700 students every year on how to create adapted and inclusive sport programs. For Agwang, everyone deserved the happiness, joy, and freedom found in sport. Although the timing is very difficult, this is also an opportunity for the 2017 class to honor the legacy of Agwang and the brothers and sisters who came before them—to give their all for the people of their counties and to soak in every moment of this experience. Let us honor Agwang with a moment of silence and prayer and continue her fight to create more sports opportunities for persons with disabilities around the world. With great love, UT Center for Sport, Peace, & Society
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 4 Program Introduction 6
Program Partners
7
Social Media
8
Program Schedule Overview
9
GSMP Legacy
MEET THE CLASS OF 2017 14
2016 Emerging Leaders
15
2016 Mentors
16
Meet the Matches
17
Matches on the Map
19
Mohamed Raafat (Egypt) + Sarah Olson (Ability 360)
23
Ali Abou El Nasr (Egypt) + Skye Arthur-Banning (Clemson University)
27
Tinatin Revazashvili (Georgia) + Karin Korb & Amy Rauworth (Lakeshore Foundation)
31
Keit Jaanimagi (Estonia) + Karin Korb & Amy Rauworth (Lakeshore Foundation)
35
Gagik Sargsyan (Armenia) + Gail Barille & Tracy Meier (National Ability Center)
39
Ahmad Khairallah (Saudi Arabia) + Gail Barille & Tracy Meier (National Ability Center)
43
Mercedes Gรณmez (Venezuela) + Stephanie Kanter (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) + Larry Labiak (Chicago Park District)
47
Vibhas Sen (India) + Mary Patstone & Dr. Cheri Blauwet (Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital)
51
Ksenia Ovsiannikova (Russia) + Mary Patstone & Dr. Cheri Blauwet (Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital)
55
Bolormaa Purevdorj (Mongolia) + Dave Lenox (Special Olympics Seattle)
59
Joaquin Carrera (Argentina) + Tina Acosta & Michelle Kimpel (Turnstone)
63
Fred Fatiaki (Fiji) + Tina Acosta & Michelle Kimpel (Turnstone)
67
Zabdai Zamuel (Suriname) + Mark Lucas (U.S. Association of Blind Athletes)
71
Navruza Yuldasheva (Uzbekistan) + John Register (USOC)
75
Siphamandla Gumbi (South Africa) + Doug Garner (University of Texas-Arlington)
79
Rinor Gashi (Kosovo) + Doug Garner (University of Texas-Arlington) 3 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GSMP CLASS OF 2016 U.S. Department of State
B
uilding on the successes
66 female sports leaders graduated
similar immersive mentorship and
of past U.S. Department
and returned home to launch NGOs,
cultural exchange model to focus on
of State sports diplomacy
affect public policy and legislation,
empowering people with disabilities
programs, the Global Sports and transform communities by
Mentoring Program is comprised of
providing access and opportunity to
two pillars—GSMP: Empower Women girls where none previously existed.
through community-based sports initiatives. Through S4C, U.S. community sport leaders and their
through Sports and GSMP: Sport
The GSMP’s success was spotlighted
organizations provide emerging
for Community—that combine the
in 2013 when it as name one of the
leaders from around the world with
power of mentorship and cultural
top public diplomacy initiatives in
the opportunity to cultivate sports
exchange to connect international
the world.
management, marketing, and
changemakers who are on a mission to make a positive impact in their home countries.
In response to the initiative’s success, the Department of State
business skills in a U.S. sport-related environment.
restructured the GSMP in 2016
In 2016, the first S4C program
In 2012, the GSMP was launched
to include a second mentorship
hosted 15 emerging leaders from
by then Secretary of State Hillary
program. Continuing its cooperative
13 countries. The group included
Clinton as a five-week mentorship
partnership with the University of
Paralympic executives, world
experience aimed at empowering
Tennessee’s Center for Sport, Peace,
champion athletes, disability rights
women worldwide through sports.
and Society, it launched Sport for
advocates, coaches, and educators,
In the first for years of the program,
Community (S4C), which uses a
who returned home to spark
4 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
significant and positive social impact increase in self-confidence, social
Clemson University, Lakeshore
for people with disabilities in their
inclusion, economic empowerment,
Foundation, National Ability Center,
communities.
employment, and independence.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago,
With the growth in prominence
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network,
of the Paralympic Games and the
Special Olympics Washington,
increasing development of adaptive
Turnstone, U.S. Association of Blind
As in its inaugural year, the organizations participating in the 2017 edition of S4C are at the forefront of the disability sport movement. Despite progress over the years, accessibility challenges, social exclusion, and a lack of educational and sports opportunities continue to keep people with disabilities marginalized. Evidence shows that people with disabilities who are given opportunities to participate in sports experience an
sports worldwide, the time is right to Athletes, U.S. Olympic Committee, empower leaders with a passion and
and University of Texas-Arlington.
commitment for promoting equality and opportunity so that everyone
The 2017 emerging leaders
receives the opportunity to get in
represent the following countries:
the game.
Argentina, Armenia, Egypt (2), Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kosovo,
The 2017 mentors represent
Mongolia, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
the following organizations:
South Africa, Suriname, Uzbekistan,
Ability360, Chicago Park District,
and Venezuela.
5 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PROGRAM PARTNERS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs promotes mutual understanding between Americans and people from around the world through a wide range of academic, cultural, private sector, professional and sports exchange programs. These international exchanges engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes and emerging leaders from the United States and nearly 170 countries. Alumni of these exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and more than 350 current or former heads of state and government.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CENTER FOR SPORT, PEACE, & SOCIETY Our mission at the Center for Sport, Peace, & Society is to use sport to change lives, communities, and the world through teaching, research, mentoring, and service. At the Center, we seek to train a new generation of changemakers who are using the intersections of sport, education, and media to tackle some of the world’s most complex issues. Using our Theory of Empowerment for Social Change, we seek to Expose, Equip, Empower, and Entrust local and global audiences to use sport to make a difference. Our work is grounded in more than twenty years of sports development experience using sport to promote empowerment, leadership, and peace-building by working alongside women, girls, refugees, immigrants, student-athletes, and persons with disabilities. It is our hope that through sport individuals will become empowered change agents interested in promoting peace and inclusivity around the world.
6 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
social media OFFICIAL GSMP HASHTAG:
#SPORT4ALL
SP RT 4
COMMUNIT Y
GLOBAL SPORTS MENTORING PROGRAM http://www.globalsportsmentoring.org facebook.com/globalsportsmentoringprogram @SportsEmpower flickr.com/globalsportsmentoringprogram youtube.com/globalsportsmentoringorg U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE http://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/sports-diplomacy/ facebook.com/pages/SportsUnited-US-Department-of-State @SportsDiplomacy, @StateDept, @ConnectStateGov, & @ECAatState youtube.com/ExchangesVideo flickr.com/ExchangesPhotos UT CENTER FOR SPORT, PEACE, & SOCIETY http://sportandpeace.utk.edu facebook.com/thecenterforsportpeacesociety @sportandpeaceUT instagram.com/sportandpeaceUT soundcloud.com/sport-and-peace-ut issuu.com/sportandpeaceUT
7 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
program schedule overview
MARCH SATURDAY, 11
APRIL
Emerging Leaders arrive
FRIDAY, 7
Mentorships conclude
in Washington, DC SATURDAY, 8 SUNDAY, 12 FRIDAY, 17
Orientation week begins Orientation week
to Washington, DC SUNDAY, 9
concludes SATURDAY, 18
Action Plan preparations and debrief
Emerging Leaders travel
MONDAY, 10 --
to mentor sites SUNDAY, 19
Emerging Leaders return
TUESDAY, 11
Mentorships begin
WEDNESDAY, 12
Action Plan presentations Evaluations & follow-on instructions
THURSDAY, 13
Emerging Leaders return home to change the world!
8 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GSMP LEGACY: DEFINING THE ACTION PLAN BUILD ACTION PLAN WITH MENTOR
Racha Kalot,
Lebanon
PRESENT TO GLOBAL NETWORK
JP Maunes,
Philippines
EMPOWER PEOPLE AT HOME
Bayron Lopez,
Ecuador
THE ACTION PLAN is the culmination of the Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) experience. During the first week of the GSMP, each Emerging Leader is charged with identifying a pressing social
2016 ACTION PLAN THEMES
issue facing persons with disabilities in their local communities or
10%
work place. Throughout the mentorship experience, the Emerging Leaders work with their peers, program facilitators, and the mentoring team to develop a strategy for addressing this social
38%
21%
issue through sport. The Emerging Leaders draw upon the resources, knowledge, and expertise of their brothers, sisters, and mentors to
31%
create well-developed “social business� strategies. During the final week of the program, Emerging Leaders present
Disability Rights
11
their Action Plan ideas to their peers and key American stakeholders
Sport Engagement
9
for feedback and support. Upon return to their home countries,
Other*
6
Emerging Leaders build networks with local organizations to execute
Leadership Development
3
their ideas and in turn, empower more persons with disabilities through sports.
Other themes include the following: Partnership Development & Coalition Building, Youth Development, Conflict, Economic Empowerment, and Disaster Relief. Some Emerging Leader Action Plans involve multiple themes, all of which were included here.
9 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GSMP LEGACY: GLOBAL IMPACT 5 YEARS. 97 PEOPLE. Worldwide Reach. 16 15
16
12
REGIONS East Asia/Pacific South/Central Asia
19 19
Europe & Eurasia Near East Asia Africa Western Hemisphere
IN JUST FIVE YEARS, women and girls and persons with disabilities all over the world have experienced the ripple effect of the GSMP and its empowering message. By providing 97 participants with the critical
PROFESSIONAL FIELDS
tools, resources, and support needed to carry out their Action Plan ideas, thousands of women and girls and persons with disabilities have reaped the benefits. In fact, of the 97 participants selected for this program, 94% have implemented at least some portion, if not all,
1%
5% 2%
6% 7%
of their proposed Action Plans, touching the lives of women and girls and persons with disabilities in their families, communities, schools, and
20%
18%
20%
work places. By passing this message on to the next generation, the GSMP is creating a living legacy of empowerment and positive social change through sport.
NGO League/Federation Entrepreneur Education Government Media Corporate Olympic Committee
21 21 19 8 7 6 2 1
10 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GSMP LEGACY: Global IMPACT A pre-test was conducted at the beginning of the 2016 GSMP: Sport for Community to measure knowledge and capacity, followed by a post-test at the end of the program. The results demonstrate the program’s short-term impact. Knowledge of U.S. values and culture:
Knowledge of how to create opportunities for people to develop their own skills
Knowledge of how to create a sustainable organization that addresses a need in my community
PRE-TEST Less than Basic 21% Basic Knowledge 65% Beyond Basic 14%
PRE-TEST Less than Basic 0% Basic Knowledge 71% Beyond Basic 29%
PRE-TEST Less than Basic 29% Basic Knowledge 43% Beyond Basic 28%
POST-TEST Less than Basic 0% Basic Knowledge 33% Beyond Basic 67%
POST-TEST Less than Basic 0% Basic Knowledge 21% Beyond Basic 79%
POST-TEST Less than Basic 0% Basic Knowledge 47% Beyond Basic 53%
100%
OF 2016 EMERGING LEADERS AGREED THAT THE GSMP: SPORT FOR COMMUNITY HELPED THEM BUILD A STRONG NETWORK OF SUPPORT
93%
OF 2016 EMERGING LEADERS AGREED THAT THE GSMP: SPORT FOR COMMUNITY HELPED THEM USE SPORTS TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES
86%
OF 2016 EMERGING LEADERS AGREED THAT AFTER THE GSMP: SPORT FOR COMMUNITY THEY UNDERSTAND SPORTS IN THE U.S.
IN THEIR WORDS
”
During the GSMP, I gained new knowledge on how to cooperate and communicate with other people more effectively. I found 15 other people who think as I do, who want to change their countries and world for the better. And that is the greatest support when you know that you’re not alone. GSMP 2016 Alumna OLEKSANDRA NASADIUK, Ukraine
”
”
The GSMP taught me to continue educating myself in order to better serve my community. The value of this program is that it taught us to be humble and show solidarity with the people who most need it. The GSMP taught me to never give up and never lose faith.
”
GSMP 2016 Alumnus BAYRON LOPEZ, Ecuador
”
The GSMP exposed me to many different adaptive sports. Before coming to the program I only knew of one or two parasports and now I know of many. This was beneficial because it gave me knowledge and exposure which I will use to also start similar programs when I go home. I also have a better understanding of American culture and values and learned about sport opportunities in other countries through my interactions with other participants.
”
GSMP 2016 Alumna AGWANG ANGELLA CHRISTINE, Uganda
11 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GSMP LEGACY: 2016 ALUMnI highlights BAYRON LOPEZ – REBUILDING LIVES IN ECUADOR
In 1996, Bayron Lopez was a 14-year-old Ecuadorian boy learning to cope with a new reality. A motorcycle accident forced doctors to amputate his left leg, and he wasn’t sure if life would ever be the same. When he finally built up courage to leave the house, his sport wheelchair made him feel whole again. In his new gear, Bayron became one of Ecuador’s most successful wheelchair racers. With sport to thank for bringing him hope when he needed it most, he dedicated himself to becoming a leader for those who didn’t have the chance to experience sport’s power. “Every morning, I look at my medals, and I feel inspired to work harder,” Bayron says. “They remind me about the people with disabilities in Ecuador who need the same opportunity to not only win medals but to grow confident and healthy and make new friendships that bring joy into their lives.” In 2016, Bayron was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of State Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) under the new disabilityfocused initiative, Sport for Community. At the time of his
involvement, Bayron was in the final six months of his first term as president of the Ecuador Paralympic Committee. In his time leading the committee, he pushed to expand grassroots recruitment of athletes in rural areas and helped Ecuador qualify its highest-ever number of athletes to a Paralympic Games.
For his mentorship, Bayron was matched with Mark Lucas, executive director of U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, who convinced him about the power of servant-leadership, ways to balance administrative and grassroots work, and the key role of adaptive sports in disaster relief efforts. Following Mark’s guidance, Bayron ran for re-election and was voted in for a second term that will run through the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
However, Bayron arrived to the U.S. with mixed feelings about re-election. One month before the program, an earthquake devastated Ecuador; nearly 700 people died and more than 16,600 were injured. Bayron considered ending his term to focus entirely on disaster relief projects, but the GSMP intersected at the perfect time.
“The CSPS, State Department, and my mentor, Mark, showed me there are new tools and information available for me to make a bigger impact across society,” Bayron says. “Yes, today there is only one Bayron Lopez. But now I’m working so in the
next year I can see 100 Bayrons in these communities.” The relationship between mentor and mentee reached greater heights when Mark and CSPS photographer Jaron Johns visited Bayron in Ecuador to support his newly-launched adaptive sports projects dedicated to inclusion and empowerment through sports. The trio organized clinics that reached 375 people through track and field, soccer, goalball, and sitting volleyball events— many for the first time. “Everything was perfect,” Bayron says. “It’s my mission to keep touching lives and prove that sport can change the world.”
12 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MEET THE SPORT FOR COMMUNITY
CLASS OF 2017
13 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
2017 EMERGING LEADERS
Joaquin Carrera ARGENTINA
Fred Fatiaki Fiji
Rinor Gashi KOSOVO
Mercedes Gรณmez VENEZUELA
Siphamandla Gumbi SOUTH AFRICA
Keit Jaanimagi Estonia
Ahmad Khairallah SAUDI ARABIA
Ali Abou El Nasr EGYPT
Ksenia Ovsiannikova Russia
Bolormaa Purevdorj Mongolia
Mohamed Raafat EGYPT
Tinatin Revazashvili Georgia
Gagik Sargsyan ARMENIA
Vibhas Sen INDIA
Navruza Yuldasheva UZBEKISTAN
Zabdai Zamuel SURINAME
14 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
2017 MENTORS
Tina Acosta TURNSTONE
Skye Arthur-Banning clemson university
Stephanie Kanter
Dr. Cheri Blauwet
Doug Garner
spaulding rehabilitation hospital
university of texasarlington
Michelle Kimpel turnstone
Karin Korb lakeshore
Larry Labiak CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
Dave Lenox special olympics seattle
Gail Barille national ability center
Mark Lucas u.s. association of blind athletes
Tracy Meier national ability center
Sarah Olson Ability 360
Mary Patstone
Amy Rauworth lakeshore
John Register USOC
rehabilitation institute of chicago
spaulding rehabilitation hospital 15
AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MEET THE MATCHES
MOHAMED RAAFAT SARAH OLSON Egypt Ability 360
ALI ABOU EL NASR SKYE ARTHUR-BANNING Egypt Clemson University
TINATIN REVazAshvili KARIN KORB + AMY RAUWORTH Georgia Lakeshore
KEIT JAANIMAGI KARIN KORB + AMY RAUWORTH Estonia Lakeshore
GAGIK SARGSYAN GAIL Barille + TRACY MEIER Armenia National Ability Center
Ahmad khairallah GAIL Barille + TRACY MEIER Saudi Arabia National Ability Center
MERCEDES GÓMEZ stephanie kanter + LARRY LABIAK
Venezuela Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago & Chicago Park District
vibhas sen mary patstone + dr. cheri blauwet India Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
KSENIA OVSIANNIKOVA mary patstone + dr. cheri blauwet Russia Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
bolormaa purevdorJ DAVE LENOX
Mongolia Special Olympics Seattle
joaquin carrera TINA ACOSTA + MICHELLE KIMPEL Argentina Turnstone
FRED fatiaki TINA ACOSTA + MICHELLE KIMPEL Fiji Turnstone
zabdai zamuel MARK lucas
Suriname U.S. Association of Blind Athletes
navruza yuldasheva john register Uzbekistan USOC
siphamandla gumbi doug garner
South Africa University of Texas-Arlington
rinor gashi doug garner
Kosovo University of Texas-Arlington
16 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MATCHES ON THE MAP
argentina armenia EGYPT egypt estonia fiji georgia kosovo saudi arabia south africa suriname venezuela india russia mongolia uzbekistan
ft. wayne, in park city, ut phoenix, az clemson, sc birmingham, al ft. wayne, in birmingham, al arlington, tx park city, ut arlington, tx colorado springs, co chicago, il boston, ma boston, ma seattle, wa colorado springs, co
17 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
18 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MOHAMED RAAFAT
Projects Manager for Alhassan Foundation for Differently Abled Inclusion and National Wheelchair Racer
EGYPT
SARAH OLSON Military Program Coordinator
ABILITY 360
FROM EGYPT, MOHAMED RAAFAT, a National Wheelchair Racer and Disability Rights Advocate, works to develop Paralympic sports and provide accessibility through the Alhassan Foundation for Differently Abled Inclusion.
EDUCATION Mohamed holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.
EXPERIENCE In addition to experience in sales, marketing, and accounting, Mohamed has worked for more than five years as a facilitator and advocate for disability rights.
SKILLS Mohamed is a decorated athlete in wheelchair racing and is a hard-working problem solver. He is also an entrepreneur and has presented a TED talk. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? To be able to help any person in need. WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE”? I love sitting in front of the sea. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? The love of people.
For a long time, MOHAMED RAAFAT wasn’t sure
Egyptian National Cup. He is currently training with his
if he would play sports again. Soon after winning his
goal set on qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
first karate championship at the age of 13, he was injured in an accident while playing with friends on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt. The injury to his spinal cord required two years of rehabilitation and resulted in Mohamed becoming a wheelchair user. He remembers that all he could think about at that point was returning to his earlier lifestyle. Then, Mohamed turned on the
Mohamad balances training with a career as a project coordinator for Alhassan Foundation for Differently Abled Inclusion, as well as coursework for an MBA at the Arab Academy for Science and Technology, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business in 2012. He regularly spends
television to the 2012 Paralympics in London.
eight hours in the office coordinating the foundation’s
“There were so many Egyptians who won gold medals,”
supports his father at night with the accounting for his
Mohamed remembers. “It inspired me to start playing
garment manufacturing business.
again. I wanted to play a tough sport, too, to make my
major projects, then trains for two hours, and later
body stronger and to be independent.”
It is a demanding schedule, but Mohamed understands
Months later, Mohamed began seriously training as a
personal growth. In fact, his many responsibilities help
wheelchair racer. In 2016, he won a silver medal in the
propel him forward in challenging stereotypes of people
100 meters and a gold medal in the 200 meters at the
with disabilities, who in 2011 were estimated in a report
the importance of balancing his many endeavors to his
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? A professor from my MBA program. His name is Ahmed ElOttiefy. He was the instructor of technical analysis. I loved the practical way he taught, which is helpful for me to learn. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? Yes, a rottweiler named Medoc. HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? Yes, I visited Paris, France and Dusseldorf, Germany, but my favorite destination is my home city, Alexandria.
20 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To meet other super heroes with disabilities and learn from them #2: To believe in the responsibility and power of my work #3: To share new ideas with others at home
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I love learning. #2: I give importance to small details.
by the World Health Organization
wheelchair users across Egypt.
a level of professionalism and
and UNICEF to make up 11 percent
As a sportsman himself, Mohamed
expertise associated with elite
of the country’s population
is especially passionate about
sports programs in other countries.
(approximately 8.5 million people).
the sports program. In 2013, the
A lack of accessible sports facilities
program launched as a way to
where athletes can train, and a
give wheelchair users a means to
gap in sponsorship and fundraising
socialize and exercise. Since then,
present other challenges to the
it has grown to include 80 athletes
success of the foundation’s sports
who compete nationally.
teams.
MENTOR: Knowledgable, Optimistic, Invested EMPOWERED PERSON: Critical Thinker, Aware, Brave
“There is this perception that people have toward people with disabilities that we are so limited,” Mohamed says. “Discrimination is very normal. But, I want to show that if we open the door to people
“The sports program was only
Through the U.S. Department of
with disabilities, they can become
intended as a trial, but it’s had
State Global Sports Mentoring
champions and success stories.”
really amazing results,” Mohamed
Program, Mohamed will benefit
says. “When a person doesn’t have
from the guidance of a mentor who
anything in their life and they come
will work with him to fill these gaps.
to this club to try these new sports
During the program, he will be
and make friends, it’s like their life
partnered with mentor Sarah Olsen,
takes a 180 degree swing. Sport
program coordinator for Ability360
isn’t sport anymore. It’s a way to
Sports and Fitness Center. Sarah is
heal and move forward. It’s a path
the lead on military, membership,
to college, work, marriage, and an
and other health and wellness
active role in society.”
programs for the organization,
Through its community outreach programs, Alhassan Foundation dispels these perceptions by encouraging wheelchair users to challenge themselves and gain confidence on a daily basis. Mohamed is currently the lead on five projects that focus on sports, accessible transportation, wheelchair customization, small
As Alhassan’s sports program
business support, and the creation
was initially founded to serve
of an information database on
recreational purposes, it lacks
and has the experience of serving in her role since Ability360’s grand opening in 2012. The
#3: I feel happy when I help others become happy.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Confident, Driven, Bold
largest independent living center in Arizona, the organization is home to comprehensive adaptive sports programs that emphasize independence, fitness, and overall health. Through Sarah and Ability360, Mohamed will have access to every aspect of an organization at the top of the field in disability sport, which will be of great value for him when he returns home to expand his impact felt in Egypt.
21 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ALI ABOU EL NASR Co-Founder and CEO of Cardinal Sports Co-Founder of Blind Football Egypt
EGYPT
SKYE ARTHUR-BANNING Associate Professor
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
FROM EGYPT, ALI ABOU EL NASR, Co-Founder and CEO of Cardinal Sports and Co-Founder of Blind Football Egypt, brings a passion and entrepreneurial spirit to changing the landscape of adaptive sport opportunities.
EDUCATION In 2013, Ali earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from the University of Abertay Dundee in Scotland. He also holds a level 1 coaching certification.
EXPERIENCE By the age of 25, Ali had founded three businessess, all grassroots in nature and aimed at providing sports opportunities for underserved communities.
SKILLS Ali speaks four languages: English, German, Arabic, and French. He has also experience as an interpreter, coach, educator, and social activist. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I enjoy spending the most time with my friends because we have similar interests and have all known each other for a very long time so it is a very organic setting.
Since he was a boy growing up in Cairo, ALI ABOU
pushed him to instead focus on his education. Ali did
EL NASR’s life has revolved around soccer. Before
exactly what they asked and excelled academically,
he was a player, coach, and advocate, his passion was
graduting secondary school at the age of 16. When
nurtured watching the best teams in Europe play on
visiting his Scotland, where his brother attended
television. His favorite was Arsenal, one of England’s
university, he was unexpectedly offered a contract to
most successful soccer clubs.
play for Cowdenbeath FC. Ali accepted the offer, with
“When I was 8 years old, my dad bought me my first Arsenal jersey as a gift,” Ali recalls. “You could say that jersey pre-determined my future.” Although soccer became his favorite sport, Ali’s parents enrolled him and his older brother in a handful of sports at their local club: swimming, karate, judo, handball, volleyball, and basketball. After he was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD), sport became a perfect release for his energy. As a teenager, Ali was offered his first professional soccer contract, but his parents declined the offer and
the support of his family, and simultaneously began a sports management degree at the University of Abertay Dundee. Struggling with injuries for much of his career in Scotland, Ali transitioned into coaching before finishing his degree in 2013. By that point, he had worked jobs in marketing, business, and soccer development. But, around the time, his life was also changing. His parents divorced, his mother moved to London following the Egyptian revolution, and his half-sister in Cairo was born with a visual impairment. In January 2013, Ali moved back home permanently, where he grew closer
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL? I liked psychology because it gave me a better understanding of people and how they think. I also liked economics because it helped me sharpen my business sense and learn how the business world works. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? I want people to remember me as someone who helped develop football in Egypt from youth football and blind football all the way up to professional football. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I would be orange. It makes me happy and reminds me of the sunset. No one hates a nice sunset.
24 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn about other projects within adaptive sports #2: To build a network of people in the field #3: To apply my new skills to new endeavors
to his sister and had an opportunity to take a role in the world of blind
players moved Ali deeply.
soccer initiatives, and develops innovative sports performance
soccer.
“For the players who had become
“When I returned to Egypt I
of returning to something they
Ali is on a mission to expand blind
was talking to a friend who was
once loved,” Ali says. “For those
soccer throughout Egypt. Since
volunteering at a blind center as a
who had only listened to football
laying the groundwork for the
fitness coach,” Ali recalls. “I asked
on the radio, you could see their
sport in Cairo, he has established
him if they offered any football.
total joy kicking a ball for the first
important partnerships with the
My friend said that they only did
time. Playing put their confidence
Egyptian Blind Sports Association
goalball; they didn’t know of a
through the roof because all their
and key sponsors, including
single club in Cairo that did blind
lives they’d been told, ‘You’re blind,
Chevrolet. Now he needs the
football. Since I had my coaching
you can’t play football.’”
guidance of a mentor to create a
certification from college I said immediately that I wanted to run a
technology.
blind later in life, it was the feeling
sustainable blind soccer structure
In 2014, Ali founded the NGO Blind
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am passionate about football. #2: I am interested in all aspects of sports. #3: I started three businesses before the age of 25.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Passionate, Moral, Realistic MENTOR: Patient, Open, Knowledgeable EMPOWERED PERSON: Persistent, Responsible, Thick Skin
that propels the sport onto a
program.”
Football Egypt and organized
According to statistics from the
national team. Since then, he
For the program, Ali will be
soccer careers into college. He is
World Health Organization, 1
has launched six teams in Cairo
mentored by Skye Arthur-
also the head of officiating for
million people in Egypt are blind,
with approximately 100 players.
Bannning, an associate professor
the International Federation of
with 3 million more visually
In order to financially support
at Clemson University with an
Cerebral Palsy Football, refereeing
impaired. When Ali began coaching
their non-profit work, Ali and a
extensive practical and research
games at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
blind soccer he introduced proper
business partner launched Cardinal
background in youth sports and
Together, Skye and Ali will combine
equipment and training methods for
Sports in 2015 as a consulting and
adaptive sports development. At
their experiences as leaders and
the first time. It was a big difference
development agency. The agency
the university, home to top-15
advocates in the world of disability
for the players, who told him that
provides statistical data on the
NCAA men’s and women’s soccer
sport to create a plan that paves
before they would wrap a ball in a
Egyptian men’s national team to the
programs, Sky recently initiated
a prosperous road for blind soccer
plastic bag and fill it with bells just
soccer federation, collaborates with
a tuition-assistance program that
players in Egypt.
to play. The spirit and drive of the
the Ministry of Sports on grassroots
allows students with neurological
national stage.
the country’s first ever blind
impairments to continue their
25 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
26 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TINATIN REVAZASHVILI General Secretary, Georgian Boccia Federation International Relations Coordinator, GPC
GEORGIA
KARIN KORB Policy & Public Affairs Coordinator
LAKESHORE FOUNDATION
AMY RAUWORTH Director of Policy & Public Affairs LAKESHORE FOUNDATION
FROM GEORGIA, TINATIN REVAZASHVILI, an International Relations Coordinator for the Georgia Paralympic Committee, brings a passion for advancing the lives and experiences of people with disabilities through sport.
EDUCATION Tina holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in hotel and restaurant marketing. She earned her degree in 2002 from Tbilisi State Institute.
EXPERIENCE Tina has nearly six years experience in the field of disability rights, including two years as a boccia ball coach and five years as an advocate for independent living.
SKILLS Tina is fluent in three languages: Georgian, English, and Russian. She is also detail-oriented, focused, and unwilling to give up on her goals. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is for my country to have accessibility for people with disabilities. Equal rights means having equal advantage of the environment. I hope that Paralympic sport becomes as much of a priority for our government as Olympic sport. I also dream to have new wheels for my wheelchair.
“Where one journey ends, another begins.” For the past
for the Coalition of Independent Living on a USAID-
seven years, TINATIN REVAZASHVILI has shared
supported project to ensure the legal rights of people
this message across Georgia. Born and raised in Tbilisi,
with disabilities. In 2012, she was elected as vice
the first two decades of Tinatin’s life were focused on
president of the National Paralympic Committee, where
her education, and later her career. In 2002, she earned
she currently serves as the international relations
a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant marketing
coordinator.
from the Tbilisi State Institute of Economic Relations and was soon hired by Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, where she climbed the company ladder. In 2009, Tinatin’s journey changed course when a car accident left the lower half
As she began traveling for tournaments with the NPC, Tinatin noticed the differences in accessibility between Georgia and other European countries. According to
of her body paralyzed.
statistics, the country has approximately 120,000
“The accident was the beginning of a new life and an
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
introduction into a new community for me,” Tinatin
Disabilities, though inaccessibility challenges, stigmas,
says. “Of course, everything changed. But, I never
and limited awareness about the legal rights of the
would have discovered sport if not for my disability.”
disabled still exist.
For the first time, Tina tried bowling, archery, and
Tinatin has actively lobbied government for greater
horse riding. Within one year of her accident, she
support of people with disabilities. In 2015, Tbilisi built
began working part-time as a disability advocate
its first fully accessible sports complex, offering fencing,
people with disabilities. In 2014, Georgia ratified the
WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE” WHEN YOU NEED REST? Home sweet home. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT? Carmel ice cream and cheesecake! WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? I met a woman named Anne Wafula in the UK. She was a cyclist during her career and is now a great speaker. She always gave me helpful advice. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? Yes, I have one dog named Molli.
28 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn from others’ experiences #2: To share what I learn with others in Georgia #3: To gain knowledge about event planning
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I love to work hard. #2: I’m very attentive. sitting volleyball, basketball,
Tinatin believes the growth of
amputee football, boccia,
adaptive sports and the Paralympic
powerlifting, and archery. It was
movement are fundamental for
a move in the right direction for
addressing societal perceptions that
Tinatin and the growing disability
people with disabilities are less
sport movement in Georgia.
capable than others. Currently, she
“It is so important for everyone to have the right to play sports,” Tinatin says. “It is an area where a person can rediscover themselves after a disability. Sport allows you to take your life into new directions.” On top of her many roles, Tinatin also coaches boccia and was named general secretary of the Georgia Boccia Federation. While the sport is new in Georgia, she sees its growth as vital for people with cerebral palsy and severe disabilities. Last October, a team representing the country entered a beginner’s tournament in Poland and finished third—a huge boost for the athletes and a step in the right direction.
#3: I’m excited to learn.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Confident, Aware, Eager MENTOR: Communicates, Invested, Professional
estimates only 200 people with disabilities are active in sports—
EMPOWERED PERSON: Strong, Hard-Working, Empathetic
less than 1 percent of the total disabled population. With one of the country’s blind judo competitors winning gold at Rio 2016—the country’s first ever Paralympic
The next phase in Tinatin’s journey
medalist at the Games—the country
is the U.S. Department of State
has a growing interest in funding
Global Sports Mentoring Program,
more athletes to compete.
where she will be mentored by Karin Korb and Amy Rauworth
“I want to be an advocate for
at the Lakeshore Foundation. An
people with disabilities because I
organization with a decorated
know exactly how a person with
history in disability sport policy,
a disability thinks and feels,”
advocacy, and research, Lakeshore
Tina says. “I am an example that
is home to one of the most highly-
wheelchair users and people with
respected adaptive sports programs
other disabilities can be active
in the United States. Karin, policy
and accomplish more than people
affairs and associate director of the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability, will support Tinatin by drawing on three decades of experience in organizing and leading initiatives that promote sport for inclusion, health, and fitness. Through their time together, Tinatin will focus what she needs to build and sustain a successful Paralympic movement that touches every corner of Georgia.
and public affairs coordinator, and
imagine. I will not give up in this
Amy, director of policy and public
fight for them.” 29
AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
30 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
KEIT JAANIMÄGI
International Swimmer and Project Manager for the Estonian Paralympic Committee
ESTONIA
KARIN KORB Policy & Public Affairs Coordinator
LAKESHORE FOUNDATION
AMY RAUWORTH Director of Policy & Public Affairs LAKESHORE FOUNDATION
FROM ESTONIA, KEIT JAANIMÄGI, an International Swimmer and Project Manager with the Estonian Paralympic Committee, hopes to advance adaptive sports opportunities at the public and private levels.
EDUCATION Keit holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and culture from Tallinn University, which she earned in 2010. She also holds a coaching certification in swimming.
EXPERIENCE In addition to her ten years of competitive experience in swimming, Keit has worked in the field of translation and adaptive sports for nearly four years.
SKILLS Keit has twice received the Disabled Female Athlete of the Year Award. She was also elected to the Athletes Commission for the Olympic Committee in 2016. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is that the people closest to me stay happy and healthy because my family and friends are most important to me. I also hope that I will always have the courage to do the things that make me happy and that I will always stay inspired.
Since she was a young girl in the Estonian capital of
Within three years of starting swim courses, Keit’s
Talinn, KEIT JAANIMÄGI understood the value of
persistence led to a spot on Estonia’s national team
perserverance.
and invites to compete in international swimming
Born with spina bifida, Keit experienced mobility challenges from birth. As she grew older, she required surgery to correct an issue with her hips. Up until that point, Keit never felt as if she had been treated differently and excelled in school. After the surgery, she gained weight and suffered from increased hip and back pain. Recognizing the importance of physical
tournaments. Since 2004, she has participated in the International Paralympic Committee’s European and World Championships and twice medaled in the 4x50m medley relay at the Nordic Championships. Among her many honors, she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Estonian Union of Sports for Disabled in 2006 and 2011.
activity for Keit’s rehabilitation, her mother quickly
“For me, swimming is not about medals,” Keit says. “It
enrolled her in sports.
is about improving my health and being better than
“My mom taught me never to give up even if things are really hard and uncomfortable,” Keit says. “I could sit
yesterday. Swimming has always been easier than walking for me. There is freedom in the pool.”
in a wheelchair all day, but every day I learn more how
Keit will never forget competing in her first world
being active gives me independence and makes me into
championships and seeing so many great swimmers
a stronger person.”
with disabilities gathered in one place. It changed
HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? I loved South Africa. London was also fantastic. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY? History because I have always been interested in the topic, and I’ve had some really good teachers. WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE” WHEN YOU NEED REST? I think that swimming is my great escape and it always helps me to relax. But I also listen to music quite a lot and I enjoy spending time outdoors as much as possible.
the way she saw the world and motivated her to take 32 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To improve my leadership skills #2: To develop project management strategies #3: To spark change in my country for people with disabilities
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am hard-working. a bigger role in the Paralympic
is a luxury,” Keit says. “And it is. A
“I want to learn more about
movement. While working on
person needs to be independent and
inspiring people who are like me,”
her bachelor’s degree in English
have great willpower to continue on
Keit says. “I want to give people the
language and culture from
their own when there are so many
chance to experience what sport can
Tallinn University’s Institute of
challenges that make it hard to
offer—the emotion and excitement.
Germanic-Romance Languages and
participate. But, I believe everyone
Swimming is our most popular
Cultures, she received her coaching
should be able to play.”
sports and there are only about 20
certifications and set out to become
of us who compete internationally. I
a disability sport leader in Estonia.
On top of training in swimming six
According to the Estonian Human
as a project manager for the
Rights Centre, approximately
Estonian Paralympic Committee.
As she develops into a stronger
138,000 people with disabilities
In this role, she manages inclusion
and more influential leader, Keit
live in the country; many facing
projects with partners, such as
seeks the guidance of mentors
significant challenges, including a
Tallinn University and rehabilitation
with practical knowledge on how
lack of access to sport. Aside from
centers. With a lack of properly-
to catalyze and sustain a disability
harsh winters that limit independent
trained coaches and teachers
sport movement. At Lakeshore
movement around cities, a lack
at clubs and in public schools,
Foundation, she will join forces with
of financial support for adaptive
Keit’s work with the university
Karin Korb, policy and public affairs
sports has resulted in inaccessible
is particularly important. Right
coordinator, and Amy Rauworth,
facilities, underdeveloped
now, Estonia has few developed
director of policy and public affairs
infrastructure, and few programs
sports for people with disabilities:
and associate director of the
for children with disabilities. These
swimming, athletics, wheelchair
National Center on Health, Physical
challenges discourage people with
tennis, wheelchair curling and
Activity, and Disability. Combined,
disabilities from believing they can
showdown. From these disciplines,
these two disability sports experts
be active members of society.
less than 60 athletes compete
have more than 30 years of
internationally.
experience as inclusion advocates,
“It gives the impression that sport
want to reach more people with this
days a week, Keit works part-time
message of inclusion.”
#2: I like having time to process information. #3: I can be hard on myself at times.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Enthusiastic, Positive, Determined MENTOR: Patient, Empathetic, Determined EMPOWERED PERSON: Confident, Aware, Realistic leading fitness and health initiatives and serving on influential national committees that promote physical activity for people with disabilities. Based at one of the United States’ most comprehensive adaptive sports facilities, Keit will also learn in-depth about the cross-section of education and sport, disability policy, and running successful Paralympic programs.
33 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
34 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
GAGIK SARGSYAN
Secretary General of the Armenian Ski Federation and Dean of Faculty of Sport Pedagogy and Management at the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport
ARMENIA
GAIL BARILLE Chief Executive Officer
NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER
TRACY MEIER Program and Education Director
NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER
FROM ARMENIA, GAGIK SARGSYAN, Secretary General of the Armenian Ski Federation and Dean of Faculty at the Armenian State Institute, brings a passion for developing and improving sport experiences.
EDUCATION In 2001, Gagik earned a PhD in sport pedagogy from the Armenian State Institute of Physical Cultre and Sport. He also holds a master’s degree in jurisprudence.
EXPERIENCE In addition to more than 10 years experience with the Armenian Ski Federation, Gagik has worked in the university setting for nearly 15 years in sport sociology.
SKILLS Gagik’s passion for sport goes beyond the university and policy settings; he continues to train with the national alpine skiing team. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDIG THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I enjoy spending the most time with my family. I enjoy listening to my children and hearing their stories of success and failure. I also love to discuss with my wife future plans and dreams for our family.
Growing up in the snowiest region of Armenia, GAGIK
In 2005, Gagik accepted a position as general
SARGSYAN naturally loved skiing. As a boy, he tried
secretary of the Armenian Ski Federation. In this role,
wrestling and other sports with his friends, but they
he is responsible for managing international affairs,
didn’t impact him like cross-country skiing in the open
coordinating the national team, organizing events, and
air of his village. When his father gave him his first ski
developing the annual budget and development plan.
suit and set of boots, Gagik would even sleep with them
As a promoter of sport from within the federation, he
in his bed at night.
has launched three programs focused on children’s
“For me, sport is like a school for educating you on how to live life,” Gagik says, “and I was in school when I was out on the mountains.” At 16 years old, Gagik left Vardenik and moved to the capital city, Yerevan, where he began his studies in ski sport pedagogy at the Armenian Institute of Physical Culture and Sport (ASIPC). At university, he captained the cross-country ski team for three years. He stayed at the university through his Ph.D., and later added a master’s degree in law from the Public Administration
participation in snow sports. His passion for sport is so pervasive that he continues to train regularly with the alpine skiing national team. In addition to Gagik’s work at the federation, he was recently appointed dean of the faculty of sport pedagogy and management at ASIPC. The university is the only institution in Armenia that offers training in sports therapy and physical rehabilitation, with significant potential to positively impact people with disabilities nationwide.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? I dream of a day when Armenia is a stable and prosperous country. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY? My favorite subject was Math. It develops analytical thinking. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR? My greatest mentor was my life experience. Various ups and downs, failures, and successes in my life have made me the person I am now. WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE”? I love returning to my home village were I spent my childhood and school years.
Academy of the Republic of Armenia. 36 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Although he does not have a
THE BIG THREE
disability, Gagik has become increasingly aware of the needs
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To experience all that comes with an international exchange
of Armenia’s disabled community. According to the United Nations, 185,000 people in the country have disabilities. During his time
#2: To learn theoretical and practical knowledge
at the federation, Gagik has seen how the “outdated system
#3: To learn about inclusive sport management
of sport,” as he calls it, has kept people with disabilities from
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am curious.
participating in large numbers. Many buildings and sports facilities are inaccessible to wheelchair users.
#2: I am hard-working.
And with funding concentrated in specialized government schools, as opposed to clubs, there are limited
In terms of national impact,
Through the U.S. Department of
opportunities for non-recruited
Gagik has a close working
State Global Sports Mentoring
athletes to these schools to gain
relationship with the president
Program, Gagik will learn
entry into established sports
of the Paralympic committee,
more about the history and
programs. Gagik is on a mission to
and has already been told by
methodologies of the U.S. sports
break down these roadblocks.
Ukraine’s Paralympic cross-country
system at both the university and
coach that he would collaborate
national level, as well as engage in
to train Gagik’s athletes. The
an idea exchange that will greatly
federation also recently hosted its
aid in the impact he can make
first program successful targeting
for people with disabilities in his
military veterans with disabilities.
country. At the National Ability
With Gagik’s influential positions at
Center, an official U.S. Paralympic
the federation and the university,
sports club with comprehensive
he feels there are vast opportunities
adaptive sports programs focused
to work with more coaches,
on inclusion and therapeutic
athletes, and trainers to improve
recreation, he will work with
the system of sport across Armenia.
CEO Gail Barille and Tracy Meier,
“Sports is intended to level the playing field and show that everyone is equal,” Gagik says. “It is an important part of your physical education and rehabilitation. But, if you have a disability, you must be very determined to play. There isn’t a special government program to support disability sport; our budget at the federation is one-third the budget of the government’s cross-
“If we want a strong sports system
country school.”
in Armenia, we need to build it
One of the solutions, in Gagik’s opinion, is stronger collaboration between government, NGOs, the Paralympic committee, universities, and international sporting bodies.
program and education director, executive leaders in an organization that provides 30,000 annual sports
step-by-step, in a roundtable, to
experiences in Park City, Utah. In
make sure we are together and can
addition to its significant grassroots
be successful,” Gagik says. “I have
#3: I am goal-oriented.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Hard-Working, Team Player, Decisive MENTOR: Leadership, Friendly, Inspiring EMPOWERED PERSON: Responsible, Open-Minded, Decision-Maker
including alpine skiing, adaptive snowboarding, and paratriathlon. During his mentorship, Gagik will access all the tools he needs from a training and administration perspective in order to create a collaborative and structured plan to expand sports and education opportunities for people with disabilities across Armenia.
and community engagement, the
strong relationships and people
NAC’s first-rate facilities are home to
ready to help with the training and
Paralympic development programs
competitions.”
in a range of winter sports, 37 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
38 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
AHMAD KHAIRALLAH
Web and Social Media Administrator for Saudi Arabia Paralympic Committee
SAUDI ARABIA
GAIL BARILLE Chief Executive Officer
NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER
TRACY MEIER Program and Education Director
NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER
FROM SAUDI ARABIA, AHMAD M. KHAIRALLAH, a Web and Social Media Coordinator for the National Paralympic Committee of Saudi Arabia, brings a desire to change stereotypes through movement campaigns.
EDUCATION Ahmad holds a higher diploma in information technology from the Asian Institute of Management Science. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in e-commerce.
EXPERIENCE Ahmad has extensive experience in information technology and internal and external business communication. He also uses social media for awareness campaigns.
SKILLS Ahmad has taken a number of educational courses in communication, organization, social media, networking, marketing, and public relations. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? To own my dream house, which is wheelchair accessible and in a modern design with a garden and facilities where my wife and kids can enjoy living in it.
Growing up in a small coastal town on the Red Sea,
up was to move to a larger city with more opportunities.
AHMAD KHAIRALLAH was never given the
Driven to become involved in sports and society, Ahmad
opportunity to play sports during his childhood. Born
chose the former and moved to Saudi Arabia’s capital
with Osteogenesis imperfecta (often referred to as
city, Riyadh, and later to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
“brittle bone disease”), he was constantly at risk of
where he earned a higher diploma in technology
injury, which mostly restricted him to the home. At
from the Asian Institute of Management Science. He is
that time in rural Saudi Arabia, support and services
currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in e-commerce
for people with disabilities were not commonplace.
from Saudi Electronic University.
However, his mother helped him and his two brothers with their schooling and, most importantly, taught Ahmad to believe he would achieve great success in the
Even though Ahmad never played sports growing up, he has greatly admired Olympic and Paralympic athletes
future.
since watching the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games on
“My mother couldn’t read or write, but she believed in
playing sport with his own eyes when fellow university
the power of education and always pushed me and my
students invited him to come watch their goalball
brothers,” Ahmad says. “If she didn’t have courage and
practices—the only adaptive sport offered at the time.
drive for me, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Given his interest in sport and expertise in I.T., Ahmad
For young people with disabilities in Ahmad’s community, he says the only option aside from giving
television. Ahmad first witnessed people with disabilities
later joined the Saudi Arabian National Paralympic Committee as its web and social media administrator.
HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? Yes, you could say that I am travel lover. I have been to different parts of the world, but Europe is the best because everything there is wheelchair accessible. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? I want my legacy to be as a person who loves to help others without waiting to hear thank you. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, I was named after my grandfather, my best friend. WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? My family because when I am with them I feel happy and positive.
40 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Since 2015, this role has provided him with an opportunity to blend
THE BIG THREE
his two passions, and work with
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To gain knowledge about the Paralympic movement
other people in the disability community.
#2: To apply what I learn to my work with the NPC
“Going to practices, I see how people with disabilities enjoy sports
#3: To learn from and work with people from around the world
so much,” Ahmad says. “I see the joy of the kids. They ware flying on the ground. It is liberation.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I have knowledge in IT and digital media.
We all need to see this to believe it is possible, and that we have champions among us.” Although there are many sports
#2: I am a fast learner.
clubs in Saudi Arabia, most facilities
#3: I am close with my family.
remain inaccessible. There is also a lack of transportation, coaches, and training knowledge for people with
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Confident, Communicates, Creative
disabilities. Without official statistics available, he estimates there are roughly 500,000 to one million
MENTOR: Approachable, Honest, Objective
Saudis with disabilities. For those who live in small towns are rural areas, there is almost no access to
sparked on by four medals in
fundraising, and developing
sports
the past three Games—the first
government policies that support
four in the country’s history.
sports activities for the disabled
The government has started
community. For his mentorship,
providing money and coaching
he will be based at the National
for participation in domestic and
Ability Center, a prominent U.S.
international tournaments. Ahmad
Paralympic sports club with
wants to use his digital skills, and
comprehensive adaptive sports
increasing accessibility features
programs focused on inclusion
in I.T., to promote movement
and therapeutic recreation. At the
campaigns and Paralympic
NAC, Ahmad will work with two
activities on the internet.
of the organization’s key leaders,
“These are big challenges to overcome if you are disabled and want to play sports,” Ahmad says. “It may seem hard to believe, but people with disabilities are caged in their homes—this is the unfortunate reality. Lack of education, money, facilities, and social stereotypes keeps them down. You cannot be a quitter if you have a disability and want to play sports.” In the last decade, there have been positive signs with the notable growth of Saudi Paralympics,
Gail Barille, CEO, and Tracy Meier,
In order for Ahmad to be successful
program and education director.
on his mission, he wants to
Collectively, both have served
learn more about marketing
for more than two decades with
from a Paralympic perspective,
the NAC, providing more than
EMPOWERED PERSON: Self-Aware, Value-Driven, Skillful 30,000 annual sports experiences for community members, and working with a range of local and national sponsors, as well as more than 1,000 volunteers. His mentors experience, coupled with the organization’s emphasis on inclusion, grassroots engagement, and elite training, will provide Ahmad with a vital resource base where he can pull information for broadening the impact of Paralympic sports across Saudi Arabia.
41 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
42 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
MERCEDES GÓMEZ
General Director of Achilles International Venezuela and Competitive Wheelchair Racer
VENEZUELA
STEPHANIE KANTER Business Support Manager
REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
LARRY LABIAK Disability Policy Officer
CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
FROM VENEZUELA, MERCEDES GÓMEZ, a Disability Advocate and Competitive Wheelchair Racer, brings a passion to change the perception of people with disabilities in her country through grassroots education.
EDUCATION Mercedes is currently pursuing a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism from National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.
EXPERIENCE Mercedes has worked extensively in the non-profit and advocacy sphere, including starting her own organization, Valores en Reudas (Values on Wheels).
SKILLS Mercedes is a decorated athlete in wheelchair racing. She’s won more than 100 medals and has competed in the Los Angeles and New York City marathons. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is to continue working for the human rights of people with disabilities, to have an accessible and friendly country for people with disabilities, and to see my team members in the Paralympic games.
MERCEDES GÓMEZ knows how quickly life can
I saw him in pain. I saw my mother exhausted and my
change. In fact, it only takes one moment.
daughter sad. I realized then that I couldn’t give up. I
As a teenager, Mercedes left San Cristobal, Venezuela,
had to rebuild my life.”
where she was born and raised, to build a life and career
With perfect timing, Mercedes discovered wheelchair
for herself in Suriname. One night while hanging out with
racing. On the racetrack she had renewed purpose.
her friends, however, the driver of the group’s vehicle lost
Without a specially-designed sports wheelchair, Mercedes
control with Mercedes in the passenger seat and crashed.
completed her first 35 races in her regular chair.
“In one moment, all my plans for my life were gone,” Mercedes says. “When you’re young you think nothing bad can happen to you—I could’ve died.” The accident caused a severe injury to her spine, and Mercedes back to Venezuela for rehabilitation. Transitioning into life as a wheelchair user, she felt depressed and helpless. “My father would carry me like a baby from room to room,” Mercedes recalls. “One day I looked around and
She recalls one occasion when she medaled, only to discover that the winner’s podium had no ramps for the wheelchair users to receive their prizes. Inequalities increasingly drove Mercedes to make a difference. She moved to Caracas to pursue a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism at the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces (UNEFA). In the Venezuelan capital, she received a donated sports wheelchair and began training with the Paralympic team—the first time she was around elite level athletes
HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? Yes, I’ve traveled to the USA, Spain, Colombia, Suriname, Holland, Aruba, Cuba, and Curacao. My favorite location was New York City. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My dad because he is very passionate and he taught me that we must not waiver from our goals. When we find something in ourselves we must fight to achieve it. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I’d be yellow, the energy of the sun.
with disabilities. 44 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Over the past four years, Mercedes’
THE BIG THREE
racing career has taken off. She is a multiple-time national champion,
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To acquire new knowledge and skills
winning more than 100 career medals in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m, 1500m, as well as
#2: To create the multiplier effect in my home country
in wheelchair marathon events. Since 2014, she has competed at
#3: To create social impact in Venezuela
the Los Angeles and New York City marathons.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I love working as a social entrepreneur.
“One day after practice, I asked myself, ‘Now what are you doing to help other people with disabilities?’” Mercedes says. “I’m a woman with a disability, a mom, and an athlete—if
million—have a disability. Mercedes
the Paralympians, and the hopeless
I put that all together I know I can do
and her organization use sports
with the hopeful.
something good to support others. I
as a tool to include this population
don’t want to be the only Venezuelan
in society through several ways:
woman competing on the racetrack.”
providing sports programs for
In 2015, she was approached by Achilles International—an international NGO devoted to creating racing opportunities for people with disabilities—about creating a chapter in Venezuela. The organization was interested
“Sport is like food for your body and mind that builds you into a complete and healthy person,” Mercedes says.
children, supporting racers
“Life stops for many people after a
to participate in national and
disability. Sport restarts it.”
international competitions, and running social awareness campaigns
With the goal of establishing
focused around inclusion, tolerance,
Achilles Venezuela as a sustainable
and equal treatment of people with
entity, Mercedes needs the support
disabilities.
#2: I defend my thoughts and ideas. #3: I’m a very positive person.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Has Integrity, Visionary, ResultsOriented MENTOR: Empathy, Involved, Aware EMPOWERED PERSON: Innovative, Successful, Assertive
of a mentor to help her develop strong partnerships with the
the Chicago Commission on Human
government and private sectors,
Relations, will be supported as a
and maximize the organization’s
mentor by Derek Daniels, RIC sports
reach across Venezuela. Stephanie
and fitness programs manager, and
Kanter, business support manager
Larry Labiak, disability policy officer
for the Rehabilitation Institute
for the Chicago Park District, who
of Chicago (RIC), has been with
previously served as a mentors on
the organization for more than a
the program. Together, this strong
decade and is the woman to guide
combination of disability sport
physical barrier?”
Mercedes on this journey. RIC is
leaders will create a comprehensive
a highly-respected trailblazer in
social impact plan that gets more
Mercedes sees sport as a bridge
rehabilitative medicine and adaptive
According to census data from 2011,
Venezuelan wheelchair users active
between people with and without
sports programming in the United
six percent of Venezuelans—1.8
on the racetrack and in society.
disabilities, recreational athletes and
States. Stephanie, who also serves on
in supporting the development
“In Venezuela, people aren’t
of wheelchair racing from the
educated in schools about how
grassroots level upward. The
to treat people with disabilities,”
offer streamlined very well with
Mercedes says. “Society is not
Mercedes’s hopes to create a
disability-friendly. We can talk about
greater impact across society.
accessibility in terms of ramps and
Mercedes partnered with the existing
building, but what happens when
organization, Discapacidad Cero
I get inside the building and the
(Zero Disability), and currently runs
attitudinal barrier is larger than the
the Achilles’ Venezuelan chapter as an affiliated program.
45 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
46 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
VIBHAS SEN
National Wheelchair Fencer and Senior Manager of Digital for PNB MetLife Insurance India
INDIA
MARY PATSTONE Director
SPAULDING REHABILITATION NETWORK
DR. CHERI BLAUWET Attending Physician
SPAULDING REHABILITATION NETWORK
FROM INDIA, VIBHAS SEN, a National Wheelchair Fencer and Senior Manager with MetLife Insurance, brings a passion for advancing the perception of sport and opportunities available in sport for people with disabilities.
EDUCATION Vibhas earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Mumbai University in 2008. He also holds a certification in mergers and acquisitions.
EXPERIENCE Vibhas has a wealth of experience in digital advertising and information technology. He also serves on multiple committees that work to advance disability rights.
SKILLS In 2014 and 2015, Vibhas won gold medals in national wheelchair fencing competitions. He also swam 2km of the Arabian Sea and serves as a motivational speaker. FUN FACTS WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? I want to improve the standard of sports in India and to put India on the map of top sports countries in the world. I also want to make use of sports as means to support world peace. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? To win a gold medal in the Paralympics!
When VIBHAS SEN was diagnosed with polio as a
“Since that moment I have been rewriting the sports
boy, his family never expected for him to later find his
history of my family,” Vibhas says.
way into sports. With disability awareness lacking in Mumbai, India during his childhood, Vibhas usually stayed inside when his friends and classmates were outside playing. At the age of 12, he was denied the opportunity to swim at a local pool when coaches expressed concerns about being unable to teach a person with a disability. With sports as an afterthought, Vibhas began a successful career in digital marketing after earning his B.S. in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai in 2008. But, by his mid-20s he was ready to pursue sport again and convinced a coach to teach him how to swim. After six months of training, Vibhas was invited to participate in a state competition, where he surprised himself and won a silver medal.
After three years of intense swim training, Vibhas transitioned to wheelchair fencing, where he convinced a non-disabled coach to train him. “I told him to take a chance on me—we could work together, watch a lot of YouTube videos, and do whatever I needed to prove myself,” Vibhas recalls. “After training for one year, there was a state championship and we won gold. Then we won gold again at nationals a month later.” At the start of 2017, Vibhas was ranked 35th internationally in men’s sabre. He competes regularly at the international level with the aim of reaching the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. In addition to training, he works as the senior manager of digital marketing for PNB MetLife Insurance India and serves on the committees for the
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY? Science because it explains everything in a logical way. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? A previous employer of mine named Sandiip Porwal. He is knowledgeable and creative in his approach. He showed me how to overcome obstacles and stand victorious. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Black because it’s the only color that retains its characteristic when mixed with others.
48 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Maharashtra Paralympic Swimming
THE BIG THREE
Association, Mumbai Fencing Association, and Wheelchair Fencing
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn fundraising techniques
Federation of India. Vibhas always seeks ways to
#2: To learn about organizational structure
connect his marketing career with sports. Senior leadership at PNB
#3: To use sport for diplomacy and peacebuilding
MetLife was so impressed with his work, and his representation of the disability community, that he
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am a go-getter with a never quit attitude.
was recently asked to take the lead on its badminton project. Taking full advantage of this opportunity, he began lobbying for PNB
#2: I am a solutionist.
MetLife to promote its Badminton Championship to include para
#3: I am highly inquisitive.
athletes. Throughout India, disability
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Visionary, Passionate, Dedicated
awareness and accessibility challenges present challenges preventing many of the country’s approximately 27 people with disabilities from accessing sports. Driven by this reality, Vibhas is active as a coach and speaker, visiting rehabilitation centers to speak with families and individuals who recently acquired disabilities. “Before sports, people just knew me as the disabled guy in advertising—that was my standard bio” Vibhas says. “Now their entire perspective has taken a 180 degree turn. When I was young, I was blocked because of a lack of awareness and support. Now, I want to make sure no other para athlete goes through the hardships I went through.”
Vibhas has approached several
For his mentorship experience,
organizations about partnering
Vibhas travels to one of the
to recruit and create development
foremost rehabilitation facilities
programs for employees
in the United States. At Spaulding
with disabilities. Through his
Rehabilitation Network, he will be
relationships with sporting
mentored by two leaders in the
associations, he is also passionate
area of adaptive sports advocacy,
about developing and expanding
research, and programs: Mary
adaptive sports across India.
Patstone, director of adaptive sports and recreation, and Dr. Cheri
“In 2016, India won more
Blauwet, attending physician at
Paralympic medals than Olympic
Spaulding, chairperson of the IPC
levels, even though we had 100 less
Medical Committee, and seven-time
athletes,” Vibhas says. “If we work
Paralympic medalist in wheelchair
hard to develop more people like
racing. For years, Mary served as
me we can make a great impact
the director of development for
everywhere in the country. There
a hospital in Cape Cod that later
is talent and there is interest, we
became a part of Spaulding, as well
just need to be better at finding
as in chief roles with the regional
people.”
branch of the American Red Cross.
MENTOR: Approachable, Pragmatic, Successful EMPOWERED PERSON: Trustworthy, Influential, Competent She is very familiar with grassroots development and the important role played by partnerships in making adaptive sports sustainable. Similarly, Dr. Cheri is closely affiliated with the Paralympic movement and will expose Vibhas to key networks and relationships. These established leaders will help provide Vibhas with every tool he needs for achieving his dream of a nationwide movement of adaptive sports in India.
49 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
50 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
KSENIA OVSIANNIKOVA Executive Secretary, International Relations Wheelchair Fencing Federation of Russia
RUSSIA
MARY PATSTONE Director
SPAULDING REHABILITATION NETWORK
DR. CHERI BLAUWET Attending Physician
SPAULDING REHABILITATION NETWORK
FROM RUSSIA, KSENIA OVSIANNIKOVA, a member of the International Relations Department of the Wheelchair Fencing Federation of Russia, brings a passion to increase sport participation for all.
EDUCATION Ksenia earned a master’s degree in international relations from the Diplomatic Agency for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 2011.
EXPERIENCE For more than 10 years, Ksenia has facilitated the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions and spread awareness of wheelchair fencing.
SKILLS Ksenia can speak five languages: Russian, English, Portuguese, German, and French. She is also an accomplished athlete in wheelchair fencing. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I like to spend my free time with my daughter. She is 5 and she is already a good athlete. I also like spending time with my fencing team because I’ve known everyone for many years and they are my family too.
KSENIA OVSIANNIKOVA was still undergoing
By this time, Ksenia was already a Russian champion in
rehabilitation when a wheelchair fencing trainer
wheelchair fencing. Since 2008, she has won multiple
contacted her university in search of athletes for her
Russian, European, and World championships in sabre,
team. At the age of 16, Ksenia had suffered a neck
foil, and epee. Her most recent win was at the 2016
injury in a diving accident. Before the injury, she
European Championships.
did not consider herself an athlete, but something motivated her to show up to the first practice.
“In wheelchair fencing, you don’t fight with distance
“I was actually the first student at practice,” Ksenia
“The fight is like a conversation. If you have a strong
recalls. “I didn’t know anything about wheelchair
opponent, they will also make you strong. After the
fencing then. Years later, I’m a national champion and
fight, we become friends. Through this sport we can
a leader in the federation. This was clearly my destiny.”
have friendships all over the world.”
Born to a small family in Moscow, Ksenia was partly
Outside of competing, Ksenia works as the executive
raised in Mozambique, where her doctor father moved
secretary of international relations for the Wheelchair
the family in order to a work in a hospital following
Fencing Federation of Russia. In this role, she is
the country’s civil war. After she returned to Russia, she
responsible for coordinating international activities,
completed a diploma in linguistics from Moscow State
organizing logistics and travel, and serving as team
Social Humanitarian Institute and a master’s degree in
manager at major competitions. She is also licensed as
international relations in 2011.
an international referee in epee and sabre.
or time, you fight with an opponent,” Ksenia says.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? To make this world comfortable for people with different disabilities. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My coach Elena Belkina. She is the President of the Fencing Federation. She’s strong, purposeful, and ambitious. I’ve learned a lot from her. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I’d be blue, the color of the sea, sky, and clear air. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT? I really enjoy ice cream, especially with nuts!
52 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
“The sport has given me another
THE BIG THREE
family,” Ksenia says. “My team became my family. I know all of my
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To embrace the experience involving Paralympic athletes
athletes and I support them. When someone loses their fight, we cry together. If they win, we sing our national anthem all together. This is
#2: To share and learn with them
a big emotional part of my life. It makes me very proud.”
#3: To contribute to the Paralympic movement
At the IWAS Wheelchair Fencing
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am a wheelchair user.
Sport Assembly in Italy last November, Ksenia was appointed to work in international promotion and development of wheelchair
#2: I live an active life.
fencing. She is specifically tasked with increasing the athlete pool
#3: When things happen in life, they are not problems. They are simply circumstances that make life full.
for category C— a classification for athletes with disabilities in all four limbs. According to Ksenia, there are very few women compete in
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Eager, Giving, Selfless
this category, and she is driven to increase recruitment at home in Russia and abroad.
MENTOR: Responsible, Eager to Learn, Shares
In Russia, athletes with disabilities face challenges due to inaccessibility of facilities and transportation. Similarly, heavy snowfall in the winter can prevent wheelchair users from traveling easily. In addition to physical barriers, societal perceptions result in some parents of children with
centers. She also hopes to launch
For her mentorship experience,
special sports festivals, where she
Ksenia will be partnered with
and her team will lead inclusive
two dynamic female leaders at
clinics that teach children how to
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network,
fence using plastic swords while
a top U.S. organization in the
also integrating participants without
fields of rehabilitation, therapeutic
disabilities.
recreation, and adaptive sports.
disabilities keeping them out of
“I want to show that disabled
sports.
people can do almost anything that
Ksenia is determined to change the perception of disability and expand the adaptive sports movement by increasing athlete recruitment in
For more than a decade, Mary Patstone, director of adaptive sports and recreation, and Dr.
everyone else can do,” Ksenia says.
Cheri Blauwet, attending physician,
“We just need to understand each
chairperson of the IPC Medical
other’s’ situations. We start with the
Committee, and seven-time
children.”
Paralympic medalist, have worked in adaptive sports programming
Russia’s hospitals and rehabilitation
from the grassroots to Paralympic
EMPOWERED PERSON: Driven, Inquisitive, Open
level. Both Mary and Dr. Cheri possess a comprehensive knowledge of how to build successful programs that positively impact communities locally and nationally. At Spaulding, Ksenia will be in an ideal environment to meet her program goals, including how to develop volunteer networks and organize sports events that place an empowering spotlight on disability sport in Moscow and beyond.
53 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
54 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BOLORMAA PUREVDORJ
National Director of Special Olympics Mongolia and Lecturer in Public Health at University of Mongolia
MONGOLIA
DAVE LENOX President & CEO
SPECIAL OLYMPICS SEATTLE
FROM MONGOLIA, BOLORMAA PUREVDORJ, the National Director of Special Olympics Mongolia and a Lecturer in Public Health, brings a passion to advocate for and increase sports opportunities for children with disabilities.
EDUCATION Bolormaa holds a master’s degree in international development from Kobe University in Japan. She has also completed courses in effective smoking cessation programs.
EXPERIENCE Bolormaa has extensive experience working on public health and disease prevention initiatives as well as serving as a lecturer on alcohol and tobacco control.
SKILLS Bolormaa brings a host of skills, including monitoring and evaluation, multi-organization communication, and program implementation. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I enjoy spending time with my daughter who is now 5 years old. I want to help her grow healthy and happy. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? I want to create a society with supportive legal and physical environments. I think this will help create a happy life for every child.
It was three years ago when a job posting in the
she developed a passion for medicine and put sports
newspaper for the national director of Special Olympics
to the side. In 1999, she earned a bachelor’s degree
Mongolia caught the attention of BOLORMAA
in general medicine and later completed a residency
PUREVDORJ. With a successful career as a public
in dermatology and esthetics from the Mongolian
health professional, Bolormaa was not actively
National University of Medical Sciences. Since the early
seeking a new job. But she had always dreamed of
2000s, Bolormaa has worked on public health and
making a big impact for young people in her country.
disease prevention initiatives for World Vision, Peace
Instinctively, she responded to ask about an interview.
Corps Mongolia, the National AIDS Foundation, and the
“My motivation in life has always been to see happiness on children’s faces,” Bolormaa says. “Children are the first members of our communities. That is why I chose
National Public Health Institute, among others. In 2008, she also earned a master’s degree in international development from Kobe University in Japan.
public health, and that is why I consider myself very
Launched in 2013, Special Olympics is still a young
lucky to be on this path now.”
organization in Mongolia. In fact, Bolormaa was
For Bolormaa (the Mongolian name for “Crystal”), the job was her first experience working in the sports world. As a girl in Sukhbaatar, a small city on MongoliaRussia border, Bolormaa loved sports, especially loved running in the mountains and playing basketball. But
unaware of the its presence in the country until reading the job posting. However, she has always known about the difficulties faced by people with intellectual disabilities when trying to access social services. Her uncle has an intellectual disability and another close
HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME COUNTRY? I traveled on a business trip to several countries, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Austria, and the US. WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FUTURE GOALS IN EDUCATION? I want to complete a PhD program in International Public Health. WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE”? My personal character is hard working. Time is very precious for me. Many things need to be done our society.
56 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
family member was born with Down
THE BIG THREE
syndrome.
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn management, fundraising, and marketing skills
“I want to empower special children so they can become community leaders, and sport is a really important way of doing this,”
#2: To gain exposure to creative sports
Bolormaa says. “We measure how our athletes begin to lose weight
#3: To become aware of US laws and relevant organizations
and improve their health as they participate. This improves their selfesteem, self-confidence, and regular
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am a very driven person.
class attendance, too. The kids then start to see themselves as role models and want to help others.” Bolormaa’s key focus with Special Olympics is advocacy—“protecting human rights and the rights of our children,” in her words. She has accomplished this goal by creating an informal network among organizations working with the disabled community, and by producing a documentary on the importance of special education in schools. Currently, services for children with intellectual disabilities are concentrated in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, with four specialized schools serving approximately 1,000 children, according
found that more than 90 percent
With Special Olympics
of children needed urgent dentistry
International’s support grant
treatment and were affected
ending in 2018, one of Bolormaa’s
by other treatable conditions.
key priorities is to secure
She is now trying to introduce a
organizational funding for the
cost-free program to meet these
future. Outside of Special Olympics,
needs in collaboration with local
the Paralympic Committee, and
government, private dentistry
Achilles International, children
clinics, and NGOs.
with disabilities have few other
began new competitions.
and southern Mongolia, were
access to health and social services
countryside children are largely
access are even more limited.
ignored,” Bolormaa says. “I’ve seen
conducting this important research. In 2015, she started a new program to screen incoming athletes and
#3: I want to make a difference in my country.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Motivated, Strategic, Innovative MENTOR: Cooperative, Encouraging, Strategic EMPOWERED PERSON: Values-Driven, Optimistic, Influential
private companies is the key to
provinces where the organization
countryside, special schools and
Bolormaa wants to play a role in
advocacy to government and
athletes in the capital and six other
‘We want to expand to eastern
disabilities in Mongolia lacking,
in Mongolia. Bolormaa believes
Special Olympics has reached 1,600
to Bolormaa. In Mongolia’s
With official statistics on intellectual
opportunities to access sports
Altogether, Bolormaa says that
#2: I’m eager to develop my Action Plan.
young children who win medals in our competitions and how they run to their school directors’ offices to show them off with great pride. There is a big impact that we can make.”
sustainability.
strong collaboration from local
Through the U.S. Department of
and national organizations, and
State Global Sports Mentoring
vital expertise in marketing and
Program, Bolormaa will work with
fundraising. Dave Lenox, president
mentors from Special Olympics-
and CEO of SOWA, has spent almost
Washington (SOWA) to achieve
30 years with Special Olympics at
her program goals. Engaging
the local and international level. He
more than 14,500 children with
and his team will guide Bolormaa
its activities, the organization
as she learn from experts as she
counts on a volunteer network
strives to ensure Special Olympics
of 8,000 people committed its
Mongolia’s long-term sustainability
diverse sports programs year-
and success.
round. Its success is supported by 57 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
58 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
JOAQUIN J. CARRERA
Executive Director of Powerchair Football Argentina
ARGENTINA
TINA ACOSTA Director of Program Outreach TURNSTONE
MICHELLE KIMPEL Director of Wellness and Adaptive Sports TURNSTONE
FROM ARGENTINA, JOAQUIN J. CARERRA, Executive Director of Powerchair Football Argentina, brings a passion for using sport and social entrepreneurship for the common good throughout his country.
EDUCATION Joaquin earned a bachelor’s degree in business adminstration from the Catholic University of Argentina in 2013. He has plans to pursue an MBA.
EXPERIENCE Joaquin worked for several years in the corporate sphere before moving into social entrepreneurship, an area he’s worked in for the past three years.
SKILLS Joaquin is detail-oriented and brings strong skills in relationship-building. He also enjoys soccer, tennis, and polo, among other sports. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? With my wife and daughter, because with them I laugh, cry, have fun, and share life together. With them by my side, I am at peace.
Strapping into a wheelchair for his first game of power
governmental organizations, with plans to earn his MBA
soccer, JOAQUÍN CARRERA thought he could rely
in Spain.
on his polo skills. As lover of the equestrian sport, who often played with his four siblings as a young man in Buenos Aires, the dynamics appeared similar: both are team-based sports where players use horses or machines
In his early career, Joaquín worked as a junior analyst in trade marketing for Johnson & Johnson, an executive director and advisory council member for CELAFOR (the
to maneuver around a court and score goals.
Latin American Training Center), and as a coordinator
“The power soccer players were much better than me,
organizations. Propelled by a desire to make a bigger
though” Joaquín laughs. “It is a very special relationship
impact in society, he moved into the social sector after
between the player and his horse or wheelchair. You
meeting Mariano Zegarelli, who founded Powerchair
must work together, and with your teammates, if you
Football Argentina after his son was born with spinal
want to win. I love both sports. They are very exciting.”
muscular atrophy. Through a common passion for
Born to a business professor at a top university, Joaquín followed in his father’s footsteps. In 2013, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Catholic University of Argentina. Last year, he completed a one-year post-graduate course in management and administration of social non-
and director various volunteer and entrepreneurial
disability sport and social change, the two men became close. Zegarelli believed Joaquín could carry over his business knowledge to establish power soccer across Argentina, and hired him as executive director of Powerchair Football Argentina in 2014. “I always believed in maintaining a balance between business
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is for people to have real freedom and that there is a commitment for the common good. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY? I loved geography because that’s where you learn where we are located and how the countries, seas, mountains, and rivers are made up. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? I want to think of an organizational model that transcends me. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I would be green beacause it conects me with nature or blue because it takes me to the sky.
60 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn from my peers #2: To contribute to the program and the movement #3: To develop a plan for local and regional expansion
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I like setting high goals. and social responsibility,” Joaquín
recreational tracks in four cities—
“Of course, you can create new
says. “Keeping this balance helps
Cordoba, Rosario, Buenos Aires, and
realities for yourself and discover
me grow internally as a person.
Mar de Plata. As South American
new horizons. You create new
I am happier knowing I’m giving
champions, Argentina will compete at
friendships and learn how to
everything for other people.”
the 2017 World Cup in Florida, joined
overcome challenges individually
by two of the country’s referees.
and with a team. But, most
As executive director, Joaquín
importantly, you show the world
desires to bring a high level of
According to Joaquín, there are
professionalism to the new sport. In
40,000 estimated wheelchair
his first days on the job, he learned
users in Argentina, including Vice
all he could about disability. Then he
President Gabriela Michetti and
Through participating in the U.S.
reached out to rehabilitation centers,
Minister of Labor Jorge Triaca,
Department of State Global Sports
hospitals, soccer coaches and
Overall, government statistics
Mentoring Program, Joaquín is
referees, creating the groundwork
estimate more than 3 million
on a mission to learn new ways
for a league and a national team.
Argentineans have some form of
to amplify athlete recruitment,
“We had to bring an entirely new
disability. Joaquín is convinced
set clear benchmarks for the
sport to Argentina,” Joaquín says.
that sport can empower people
federation’s future success, and
“In Argentina, there are many
with disabilities to become leaders
ultimately expand power soccer
highly-qualified coaches, but few
across society, from business up
across Argentina. He will spend
know about powerchair soccer. We
the government ladder. In his time
three weeks at Turnstone Center
had to show them the rules, teach
with the federation, he has seen
for Children and Adults with
them about disability, and work
how players develop relational,
Disabilities, one of the country’s
closely with other AFA and FIFA
cognitive, and physical skills
most highly-respected and
referees, to get off the ground.”
through sports. Many have been
state-of-the-art rehabilitation and
motivated to finish their educations
adaptive sports training centers. At
and seek employment.
Turnstone, he will be mentored by
“Sport brings values that are
Tina Acosta, director of program
very important for changing
outreach, and Michelle Kimpel,
people’s mindsets,” Joaquín says.
director of wellness and adaptive
Progress has been significant. In three years, the association has launched six clubs, with roughly 50 players pursuing professional and
that disability is not a problem that needs to be fixed.”
#2: I like developing and implementing strategic plans. #3: I am still perfecting my English.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Visionary, Aware, Impactful MENTOR: Strategic, Socially Aware, Invested EMPOWERED PERSON: Unafraid, Bold, Ambitious
sports—two women who have spent more than 15 years each serving with the organization. With nationally-successful power soccer club teams, and a decade of running recreational and competitive tracks for community members with disabilities, Turnstone will provide Joaquín with the ideal environment and support for his long-term efforts to positively impact the lives of thousands of people with disabilities in Argentina.
61 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
62 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
FRED FATIAKI
President of the Fiji Paralympic Committee and National Athletics Coach
FIJI
TINA ACOSTA Director of Program Outreach TURNSTONE
MICHELLE KIMPEL Director of Wellness and Adaptive Sports TURNSTONE
FROM FIJI, FRED FATIAKI, President of the Fiji Paralympic Committee and a National Athletics Coach, brings a passion for expanding sport opportunities and increasing awareness for people with disabilities.
EDUCATION Fred holds level 1 and level 2 coaching certifications from the International Association of Athletics Federations. He also has experience in disability education.
EXPERIENCE Besides being an accomplished athlete in table tennis and track and field, Fred has more than 10 years experience in coaching at national and international levels.
SKILLS Fred speaks three languages: English, Fijian, and Rotuman. He has also been involved in the two most recent Paralympic Games in London and Rio de Janiero. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is to see people with disabilities given the opportunity to always be part of society. I want them to reach their goals and achieve all that they can.
On the islands of Fiji, where ancient warriors evolved
the students stared him up and down, murmuring about
into some of the world’s most talented and formidable
what the boy who walked funny was doing mixed in
rugby players, the values of strength and toughness are
with everyone else.
highly valued.
“I was like someone who had fallen out of the sky,”
Growing up in the town of Nausori, those values were
Fred laughs. “My mom told me, ‘They’re only staring
the same for FRED FATIAKI. The oldest of five boys,
at you because you’re special, Freddy.’ Disability
he loved playing touch rugby with his bigger, stronger
awareness was still very low in those days. But, it
brothers—one of whom went on to play professionally
taught me how to be strong—it made me who I am.”
for the national team. Throughout his early life, he was embraced by a family that pushed him to succeed, while showering him with love and support. He carried the responsibility of “leading by example” as a badge
When Fred was in secondary school, the girls joked about whether he would ever get married, and his skin grew thicker. He became increasingly focused on
of honor.
excelling. “A leader always has the courage to move
Born with cerebral palsy, Fred was not treated
appearance in his life, but it was there in his bloodline,
differently from anyone else until he was 8 years
inherited from grandfathers who were national rugby
old. After three years at a special school he attended
and cricket players.
for children with disabilities, he transferred to a mainstream all-boys school. On the first day of classes,
forward,” he told himself. Sport still hadn’t made an
At the age of 17, Fred traveled to Hawaii to undergo
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY? English. It helped me to read and write, and has helped me to travel places that I’ve never dreamt of setting foot on. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I was named after a Lion. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? My family because they understood my disability and love me so much. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO BE? To be a good coach that young people with disabilities can look up to. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT? Ice cream with chili!
64 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
surgery for his mobility. After
THE BIG THREE
he returned and completed rehabilitation, he joined the
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn about fundraising and sponsorship
Fiji Sports Association for the Disabled, where he began to lay the groundwork for his new calling in sports.
#2: To learn about sitting volleyball programs
After one year of training, he won
#3: To learn from my peers and become a better coach
a gold medal in table tennis at the Fiji Games—the first of many in his career. He then transitioned into athletics and in 2002 won his first international silver medal in the 200 meters at the Far East
support, the Paralympic movement
do in sports,” Fred says. “People
and South Pacific Games for the
has progressed slowly in Fiji.
focus more on the disability
Disabled (the predecessor to the
Currently, the Fiji Paralympic
than the ability. Sport is a way
Asian Para Games).
Committee supports only eight
to challenge that view and open
athletes, all in table tennis and
minds.”
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am a very open person who is willing to share my experience. #2: I have a positive attitude. #3: I am invested in the mentorship.
After retiring in 2005, Fred became
track and field events. For seven
one of the first coaches in Fiji with a
years, Fred volunteered as a
visible disability. Over the years, he
sports development officer for the
has coached many of the country’s
committee before being named
top athletes, including Iliesa
its president. On top of this
Delana, who won the gold medal
distinguished role, Fred continues
in the men’s high jump at the 2012
to coach Fiji’s top track and field
London Games— the first Fijian to
athletes.
Kimpel, director of wellness and
moment of intense satisfaction for
According to the Asia-Pacific
for expanding the Paralympic
Fred, as the “boy with the funny
Development Center on Disability,
movement in Fiji. A Gold Level
walk” made history for his country.
approximately 10 percent of
Paralympic Sports Club, Turnstone is
rehabilitation, adult learning,
As a participant in the U.S. Department of State Global Sports Mentoring Program, Fred will work closely with Turnstone mentors Tina Acosta, director of program outreach, and Michelle adaptive sports, to create a strategy
win a Paralympic medal. It was a
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Influential, Inspiring, Innovative MENTOR: Passionate, Open, Knowledgeable EMPOWERED PERSON: Courageous, Passionate, Persistent
Fiji’s population has a type of
home to the U.S. Men’s Paralympic
“We prepared for six years for that
and inclusion programs. Working
disability. In order to reach more
Goalball Team, and offers eight
moment,” Fred says. “I’m humbled
alongside two of Turnstone’s most
people through adaptive sports,
competitive and recreational
that out of Fiji’s best coaches in
experienced leaders, Fred will learn
the committee organizes sports
sports, including wheelchair
different sports, I had the honor
about fundraising, community
programs at 17 specialized schools,
rugby, wheelchair basketball,
of being the first to bring a medal
engagement, and new program
where more than 300 students with
and power soccer. In 2015, the
home. It completely opened the
monitoring practices that will
a range of physical and intellectual
organization raised $15 million
door for sports and disability in our
ensure the committee’s long-term
disabilities are positively impacted.
from the surrounding community
sustainability, and show how sport
to open its state-of-the-art sports
can make an even deeper impact in
facility, which serves more than
the lives of people with disabilities
2,200 people annually with sports,
across Fiji.
country, and showed that people like me can contribute.”
“I see so many people with disabilities who are not given the
Despite growing awareness and
opportunity to show what they can 65
AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
66 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ZABDAI ZAMUEL
Swimming and Athletics Coach for AC De Toekomst and the Ilonka Elkmont Foundation
SURINAME
MARK LUCAS Executive Director
U.S. ASSOCIATION OF BLIND ATHLETES
FROM SURINAME, ZABDAI ZAMUEL, Swimming and Athletics Coach for AC De Toekomst and the Ilonka Elkmont Foundation, is on a mission to change the culture of sport through coaching and mentorship.
EDUCATION In addition to more than 10 courses in coaching, sport psychology, and physical training, Zabdai earned a certificate in sports studies in 2012.
EXPERIENCE Zabdai brings 15 years experience coaching athletes in swimming and track and field. Four years ago he began working with athletes who have visual impairments.
SKILLS Zabdai previously trained Renzo Tjon-A-Joe, the fastest swimmer in Surinamese history and a 2016 Olympian. He worked with the national team for 5 years. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I enjoy spending time with friends and family but most of it with my son because he’s growing up so fast. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? I would love to see Suriname on the podium at the Olympics. And if possible with my help or contribution.
The brace was sticking out through ZABDAI
In secondary school, Zabdai discovered his passion and
ZAMUEL’s shorts. It was time to divide up teams for
skill at swimming. Through hard work in practice, he
basketball, but he knew he wasn’t going to be picked.
became one of the best athletes in his class. By 1998,
Everybody was afraid the boy with the “broken leg,” as
he was national youth triathlon champion of Suriname.
they called him, would slow them down.
Triathlon had lost popularity in Suriname over the
Born in Paramaribo to a Surinamese father and Dutch
years, but Zabdai remained in touch with every coach
mother, Zabdai did not feel fully accepted by others
that he knew to keep training. The coaches were
at a young age due to his mixed background. When
shocked to see a teenage boy at the pool so early in the
he suffered nerve damage from an injury at the age
morning, borrowing their coaching books and manuals
of 6, the resulting physical disability presented new
so he could study them after practice. For most of the
challenges to Zabdai’s life.
1990s, Zabdai feels that sport was seen as a hobby in
“After the nerve transplant, my parents were so worried that they tried everything to help me recover: traditional medicine, Western technology, acupuncture, even visiting a tribal shaman,” Zabdai says. “Part of the
Suriname. He challenged that notion with every early morning swim and long afternoon bike ride. With little support for his own career, at the age of 21, he dedicated himself to coaching.
sensation and mobility came back, and now I have scar,
“I thought to myself: If I could make the Olympics, I’d
a long leg with a short foot, a short leg with a bigger
only be one person,” Zabdai says. “But, if I could be
foot, and a story.”
there as a coach, there could be 20 of us. I wanted to
HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? Yes, my favorite places were Argentina, Mexico, and Canada. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST MENTOR AND WHY? Stanny Handigman because she taught when it was necessary. She was there to correct me and she also believed in me. That’s why I was not afraid to try again and again. Trial and error, those are my best learning moments. WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE”? Riding my bicycle!
68 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
be the guy who I needed when I
THE BIG THREE
was an athlete trying to reach my dreams.”
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To become a better listener
After being certified as a trainer in 2001, Zabdai began to coach
#2: To become a better team player
others in swimming, athletics, and triathlon. He traveled the
#3: To become of greater value for my community
world to learn from experienced international coaches in order to apply the knowledge back in
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am willing and able.
Suriname. In 2010, he coached his first Swimmer of the Year. Since then he has trained every yearly
#2: I have to be creative with resources in Suriname.
winner, including Renzo Tjon-A-Joe, one of the fastest swimmers in Surinamese history and a 2016
#3: I am eager to learn how to get more people invested.
Olympian. Four years ago, Zabdai approached
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Listener, Motivator, Leads by Example
the Suriname Paralympic Committee about expanding his work. He extended an invitation
MENTOR: Listens, Honest, Objective
for blind and visually-impaired
EMPOWERED PERSON: Determined, Ambitious, Confident
swimmers to train in an inclusive environment alongside his other students. One of the athletes who arrived at the club never thought it would be possible to train on his own. Now, he is helping Zabdai to train the younger swimmers, and is training for duathlons with his coach’s help. In Suriname, financial support for the development of adaptive sports is lacking, so Zabdai is on a mission to change the culture of sport. He plans to create a new generation of role models and mentors for athletes and coaches to follow. As a way of starting this mission, Zabdai
of national athletes that he had
With three decades of experience
collected over the years to hang
in the disability sport sector,
up in a local café. The act was a
Mark Lucas will guide Zabdai as
way of honoring the sports heroes
he sparks a greater appreciation
of Suriname’s past and motivate
of the Paralympic movement
sports heroes for the future.
in Suriname. Among his many responsibilities as executive
“I created my own Wall of Fame in
director of the U.S. Association
that place,” Zabdai says. “There’s
of Blind Athletes, Mark oversees
a disconnect that I want to bridge.
sports management programs for
I’m very stubborn. Once I get
nine Paralympic sports—including
something into my head, I will
swimming, cycling, and athletics—
never abandon that mission. I’ll
and manages relationships with
stop when I’m finished.”
the U.S. Olympic Committee, sports clubs in more than 30 U.S.
took the photos and memorabilia
states, and international disability sport federations. With Mark’s support and extensive knowledge of Paralympic sport, Zabdai will develop the leadership skills he needs to forge greater collaboration between Suriname’s sport and government entities, as well as learn best practices for developing sustainable mentorship and athlete development structures to produce a broader impact in communities across Suriname.
69 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
70 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
NAVRUZA YULDASHEVA Executive Director of the National Paralympic Association of Uzbekistan
UZBEKISTAN
JOHN REGISTER Executive Director
USOC
FROM UZBEKISTAN, NAVRUZAKHON YULDASHEVA, Executive Director of the National Paralympic Association of Uzbekistan, hopes to create a new path of opportunity in sports for people with disabilities.
EDUCATION Navruzakhon holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in translation theory and practice from the Uzbek State University of World Languages.
EXPERIENCE Navruzakhon has worked in the Paralympic movement for the past six years. Prior to that, she worked as a translator with sports organizations.
SKILLS Navruzakhon speaks four languages: Uzbek, Russian, Arabic, and English. At only 25 years old, she is a focused, and creative-thinking trailblazer. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is to to be useful, kind, and creative person. I want to create a Uzbek wheelchair women’s basketball team.
When she was 7 years old, NAVRUZA
relations. While working on her master’s degree a year
YULDASHEVA’s father introduced her to swimming.
later, she attended the London Paralympics and was
As a young girl growing up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan,
inspired by the competing women athletes, cementing
she fell in love with the sport and it quickly became
her future in the movement.
a part of her everyday life. Almost two decades later, as the executive director of the National Paralympic Association of Uzbekistan, she still gets in the water
“I saw all of these women from every country in the world winning medals,” Navruza said. “It was so
before work.
powerful. We only had two women at the Games, so I
“I’ll even swim with our Paralympic athletes and I’ll
needed to get more women involved immediately.”
tell them, ‘Help me get better. You’re my teachers!’”
went back home and spoke with my boss. I told him we
Navruza laughs.
The plan worked. At the Rio Games, Uzbekistan’s
A top leader in Uzbekistan’s disability sport sector,
With the growth in athletes also came a surge in
Navruza never expected her career to take this
Paralympic medals: from one silver in 2012 to 31
direction when she completed her bachelor’s degree
medals overall in 2016.
in translation theory and practice from the Uzbek State University of World Languages in 2011. After freelancing as a translator for major sporting events, she was hired as the association’s head of international
Paralympic delegation included 10 female athletes.
In her role at the association, Navruza supports athletes, organizes regional competitions, and collaborates with coaches to choose who represents
HAVE YOU TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? Yes, I have traveled to the USA, Great Britain, Russia, France, Japan, and Korea. I liked all of them. Because each has its own tradition, weather, people, and food, I can not choose only one. WHAT IS YOUR “GREAT ESCAPE”? To have a picnic in open air when the sun is shining and I’m with my friends. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My name is related to a Uzbek national holiday that we celebrate in the spring called, “Navruz.” IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I would be blue because blue means peace.
72 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Uzbekistan’s national sports teams.
THE BIG THREE
Currently, the association works with more than 100 athletes.
WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn how to recruit women into Paralympic sports
Despite the success of the country’s Paralympians, Navruza has found it challenging to recruit athletes at
#2: To understand the psychology of disability
the grassroots level. While statistics on the number of people with
#3: To learn from my peers and make a difference at home
disabilities in Uzbekistan are not easily found, a Japanese study from 2001 estimated the number at more
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am eager to learn.
than 327,000. Cultural stereotypes and lack of resources for parents of children with disabilities
achievements at the Rio Games,
create Uzbekistan’s first women’s
the government offered significant
wheelchair basketball team.
#2: I am diligent and courageous.
movement and its athletes. Building
“It would be a dream come true
on this theme, the U.S. Department
for me,” Navruza says. “It would
#3: I will never give up.
of State sent two American
mean even more girls playing and
Paralympians, John Register and
experiencing the togetherness
other activities.
Mary Kate Callahan, as sports
and friendship that comes with
diplomacy envoys to the country
belonging to a team. I’m on a
“Many girls I meet will come up
in 2016. With close relationships
mission to show women can do
to me and tell me they want to
to national disability associations
anything together.”
play sports, but their parents
and the U.S. Embassy, Navruza
block them,” Navruza says. “They
believes she can capitalize on these
ask me, ‘Are you going to be my
developments to make a greater
coach?’ And I say, ‘No, but I’m here
impact at the grassroots level.
Register, who serves as associate
Currently, Uzbekistan has no
programs for the U.S. Olympic
Navruza believes that sport
Paralympic team sports. Its
Committee. A distinguished leader
provides people with disabilities
success is limited to individual
and speaker with nearly two
in Uzbekistan a strong form of
sports, such as athletics, judo,
decades spent in the Paralympic
self-expression. Sport also promotes
swimming, shooting, para canoe,
movement, John will refine
physical health and wellbeing, and
para taekwando, and powerlifting.
Navruza’s leadership skills and
propels people with disabilities
In addition to its lack of team
teach her more about grassroots
toward successful career tracks that
competitions, only 40 percent of
sporting development. Based at
lead to their full participation in
its athletes are women. In order to
the U.S. Olympic Training Center,
society.
boost both the country’s sporting
she will have access to one of the
representation and women’s
world’s most successful Paralympic
participation, Navruza wants to
programs. Working closely with
result in few opportunities for sports participation. In order to show others that a person with a disability is as capable as anyone else, Navruza shares videos of people with disabilities driving cars, swimming, and doing a range of
to help you.’”
Following Uzbekistan’s
support for the Paralympic
For her mentorship experience,
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Clever, Brave, Inspirational MENTOR: Courageous, Kind, Good Speaker EMPOWERED PERSON: Confident, Values-Driven, Optimistic
Navruza will reunite with John director of community and veterans
John and his team, she will be exposed to experts in program development who can help her make women’s wheelchair basketball a sustainable sport in her country. With John’s strong commitment to mentorship, as evidenced in his work with Yerlan Suleimenov and Njomza Emini last year, Navruza will have everything she needs to grow as a leader for the Paralympic movement in Uzbekistan.
73 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
74 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
SIPHAMANDLA GUMBI
National Wheelchair Basketball Player, Coach, and Mobility Consultant Manager for Chairman Industries South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA
DOUG GARNER
Assistant Director of Campus Recreation for Adapted Sports
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-ARLINGTON
FROM SOUTH AFRICA, SIPHAMANDLA GUMBI, a National Wheelchair Basketball Player, Coach, and Mobility Consultant, seeks to develop sustainable youth basketball programs to combat social oppression.
EDUCATION Siphamandla holds a bachelor’s degree in sport science from the University of Durban-Westville. He also has experience as a skillsdevelopment facilitator.
EXPERIENCE Siphamandla has worked extensively with a wheelchair manufacturing company to provide mobility to those in his community. He also worked in HR for 7 years.
SKILLS Siphamandla speaks two languages: IsiZulu and English. He also competed in the Paralympic Games in London in 2012 and in Beijing in 2008. FUN FACTS WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? My biggest dream is to start my own sports academy. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR? My father. He has worked hard and dedicated his life to support me.
In Zulu culture, challenges are seen as something to be
Sips continued his studies in sport science at the
conquered. Younger generations are driven to persevere
University of Durban-Westville, where a friend first
in the face of obstacles—a spirit instilled in them by
introduced him to wheelchair basketball. He had
their forefathers.
already inherited a love of sport from his father, a
For SIPHAMANDLA GUMBI, or “Sips,” these values were embedded in him as a boy in Umlazi, the second largest township in South Africa. At the age of 5, he became a wheelchair user after paralysis from the removal of a tumor on his spine. Sips missed three years of schooling and was sent to a boarding school almost 200 miles from his family to catch up. Upon his return to mainstream high school, new accessibility issues faced him. “In order to get to class, I had to take my crutches so that I could climb up the stairs,” Sips says. “It taught me to persevere, be calm, and to always look forward and hope for better.”
former player on one of South Africa’s top soccer clubs, AmaZulu F.C. Through wheelchair basketball, Sips found an empowering form of sef-expression. His club, Visa Wings, dominated the local league, and he was eventually called up to South Africa’s national team. In 2007, the team won the All-Africa Games in Algeria, then moved on to defeat Morocco in Paralympic qualifiers, becoming the top team on the African continent and qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Winning the competition remains his greatest basketball memory. “We conquered Africa and earned the chance to show our skills to the world,” Sips says. “That drives you to develop the sport because those memories stay in your
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I’d be purple because I view it as a calm color that is accommodating. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? IF SO, WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES? Yes, I have 2 dogs. Their names are Vumba and Boobo. HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME COUNTRY? IF SO, WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION? Yes, I really enjoyed Singapore. WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I love spending time with my family because we have fun together.
76 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To develop plans for a sports academy #2: To learn about sustainable programs #3: To learn how to empower and inspire young people
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I am an active person. #2: I have “mega love” for sport. heart forever. It gives you a hunger
Aside from inaccessibility and
commitment, he recently developed
to win and conquer.”
poor living conditions for people
a partnership with a non-disabled
with disabilities, he acknowledges
basketball team. This inclusive
challenges posed by high crime
project unites players with and
rates, drug abuse, and youth
without disabilities on the court to
pregnancy. Sips believes sport can
create mutual understanding.
With 150 national team appearances and a 2008 Sportsman of the Year for the Disabled award to his name, Sips still plays and coaches competitively. He balances his sporting career with a job as
help young people overcome these
“It is not my legs that tell me where
challenges and serve as a launching
#3: I’m open to learning and trying new things.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Drive, Ambition, Dedication MENTOR: Knowledgeable, Organized, Visionary EMPOWERED PERSON: Dedicated, Reliable, Knowledgeable
pad to a better life.
to go—it is my head and my heart,”
covering two provinces for Chairman
Sips leads youth basketball
doubt to come play with me in the
Industries—a manufacturing and
programs for Marlins Basketball
chair. They’re surprised when I can
supply company for wheelchairs.
Club—one of South Africa’s most
the University of Texas-Arlington
hang with them. Anyone can end
successful wheelchair basketball
has organized teams in five
up in a wheelchair and it doesn’t
organizations. In 2015, he coached
different adapted sports, engaging
mean you should give up your love
a group of girls who represented
three dozen student-athletes and
of basketball.”
more than 500 members of the
a mobility consultant manager
“I wake up at 4 a.m. to exercise and eat breakfast, then I travel around to do my consultations, home visits, repairs and deliveries,” Sips says. “At night, I head off for training. I don’t know where I get the energy. But I know people need me. Do I give up because it’s a sacrifice? Never.” Currently, Sips is determined to develop youth wheelchair basketball throughout the country.
Sips says. “I invite people who
South Africa in Paralympic
With mentor Doug Garner, a career
qualifiers. Seven members on
disability rights advocate who was
his boys team also successfully
honored as a 2015 Champion of
qualified with the national side for
Change by the White House, Sips
the U-23 World Championship in
will have access to a community
Canada. Aside from the competitive
leader with more than three
track, however, Sips wants to
decades of experience in the
create a recreational program that
intersection between sport and
reaches more youth in the province
education. Under Doug’s leadership,
of KwaZulu-Natal. As part of this
campus community, while creating one of collegiate sports’ most successful wheelchair basketball programs. Doug will closely guide Sips as he creates a comprehensive and sustainable youth wheelchair basketball structure, and effectively implement projects that engage the breadth of South Africa’s disability community.
77 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
78 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
RINOR GASHI
Program Coordinator for HandiKos and Wheelchair Basketball Event Organizer
KOSOVO
DOUG GARNER Assistant Director of Campus Recreation for Adapted Sports
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-ARLINGTON
FROM KOSOVO, RINOR GASHI, Program Coordinator for HandiKos and Wheelchair Basketball Event Organizer, brings a clear vision to establish a national wheelchair basketball league and federation.
EDUCATION Rinor is working toward his bachelor’s degree in economics from the European College of Kosovo. He plans to graduate this June.
EXPERIENCE Rinor is a dedicated advocate for the full includion of people with disabilities and has five years experience implementing projects in the field of disability sports.
SKILLS Rinor speaks Albanian and English. He has also attended numerous trainings and camps dedicated to service and governance of disability programming. FUN FACTS WHO DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING THE MOST TIME WITH AND WHY? I love spending time with my 7-month-old niece, Luna. She is growing so fast, and it is amazing to see her curiosity and wonder for the world.
Born in Kosovo’s capital city of Pristina, RINOR
Sport was a way for Rinor to feel included with his
GASHI was raised in a traditionally large Albanian
friends and was a key part of his life from the time
family. In his family home, he lived with his parents,
he was a boy. His brother would play soccer with his
grandparents, sister, and brother. He acquired his
friends and always invited Rinor to come along (“I
disability at the age of 6 during the Kosovo War and
played in my wheelchair and I would shoot at the goal
underwent rehabilitation in Germany. He credits the
with my hand just to take part. They tried to include
strong support of his family and friends for helping him
me and that meant a lot. Even my teachers encouraged
get through the difficult adjusting to his new life.
other students and friends to play with me.”).
During Rinor’s adolescence, it was still uncommon
Through his teenage years, Rinor practiced marathon,
to see people with visible disabilities publicly in
athletics, tennis, scuba diving, and swimming. But the
Kosovo. The majority also did not attend school. In
sport that he fell in love with was wheelchair basketball.
fact, Rinor was the first student in his school with a visible disability, which led to a lot of question from classmates: “Why can’t you walk?”; “Why can’t you move fast with the ball?” Teachers were unaware of how to work with Rinor because they didn’t have any experience teaching people with disabilities.
“I was 12 or 13 years old when I first started going to local clubs to play,” Rinor says. “In the beginning, I’d go and not play so much. I couldn’t reach the basket with my shot. But, by the second year I could reach it and it felt like the best moment ever. I had the power to shoot and score. It was very exciting for me.”
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM? I hope to become a role model for people with disabilities in Kosovo and inspire them to achieve their full potential, which would eventually be removing the stereotypes toward people with disabilities. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY? I loved math because I always treated it as a puzzle and was very intrigued during the process. I felt accomplished when I figured out the result. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR? My supervisor Afrim Maliqi, who leads HandiKOS. He entrusted me with duties and tasks even when I was not confident. His faith in me has brought me so far.
80 AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Rinor sees many benefits to
a lack of other health and social
nation is competing at a high level
basketball and other sports for
services.”
regularly, so we cannot expect
people with disabilities in his community. Aside from building self-confidence, changing negative stereotypes, and building bridges between the non-disabled and disabled, sport also fills the health and wellness gaps that exists because of a lack of rehabilitation centers in the country. After finishing secondary school, Rinor quickly became involved as a leader and event organizer within Kosovo’s disability sport movement (he is currently finishing a bachelor’s degree in economics from the European College of Kosovo). Since 2012, he has organized yearly sports events for wheelchair users, including the Active Rehabilitation Camp (Albania), the Kosovo National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Halit Ferizi Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, and the International Day of People with Disabilities Tournament. His most notable work has been with the NGO HandiKos, where he began volunteering as a peer support coordinator in 2011 and now serves as the program coordinator. “Our organization has branches in all the provinces of Kosovo,” Rinor says. “We have 18,000 people with physical disabilities in our network. We launch projects to cover the gaps left after government support and
to reach that level without a
Based on World Health Organization
league.”). With the acceptance of
estimates, there are 100,000
the national basketball federation
people with physical disabilities in
by FIBA in 2015, Rinor believes the
Kosovo, though there are no clear
logical next step is for a wheelchair
national statistics. There are many
basketball federation to develop
challenges faced by this community
and be recognized internationally.
that HandiKos attempts to address.
“To create the federation will
There is a lack of accessible public
be important for organizing the
transportation, which makes it
wheelchair basketball community
hard for people with disabilities to
and uniting us,” Rinor says. “This
get to sports facilities. While the
is a professional and personal
government has laws protecting the
dream of mine, that is why I’m
disabled, institutions and building
willing to work so hard to achieve
contractors do not always respect
this goal. If we have more people
the law and many facilities are
with disabilities playing sports, they
still inaccessible. Similarly, while
will be more active and involved in
there are growing employment
society and then stereotypes can
opportunities thanks to the law,
change. I am the proof that this can
there are still challenges for
happen.”
children and young people who try to access school. For people with
Rinor has very good contacts with
spinal cord injuries or cerebral
International Wheelchair Basketball
palsy, there are no rehab centers
Federation. In the past, the IWBF
and they must either do physical
organized a camp with Rinor
therapy in their home or travel
in Kosovo where 44 wheelchair
abroad.
users and three international
THE BIG THREE WHAT ARE THREE OF YOUR GOALS? #1: To learn practical ways of moving from social withdrawl to being active in society #2: To learn about program organization #3: To learn how to address stereotypes
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? #1: I love meeting new people. #2: I enjoy helping others. #3: I am passionate about my work. Each small win is a step forward.
3 QUALITIES OF... EMERGING LEADER: Motivating, Curious, Team Player MENTOR: Passionate, Encouraging, Shares EMPOWERED PERSON: Independent, Passionate, Empathetic
trainers participated. He says the
With his expertise in the basketball
organization is willing to help with
sector, Rinor’s primary goal is to
the training of players and officials
establish a sustainable national
once league is established. For
wheelchair league and federation.
Rinor, this offer is the cherry on top
Currently there are six clubs in the
as to why he must create a financial
country. Without a league, however,
sustainable, functional national
they only play when Rinor and
wheelchair basketball league in his
HandiKos organize tournaments,
country.
which can leave a gap of four to five months without competition (“Every good wheelchair basketball 81
AN INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
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