2017 Global Sports Mentoring Program: Sport for Community Program Book

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

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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

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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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