An Ethopian sports journalist has become the first male winner of the IOC Women and Sport World Trophy. Dagim Zinabu Tekle was awarded the Trophy by IOC President, Thomas Bach, on Monday evening during a gala ceremony at the SwissTech Convention Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland. Commenting on the event, Dr. Bach said: “These Women and Sport Awards are very important because without these personalities whom we are honoring, the athletes could not achieve their goals. These personalities have assisted and inspired athletes. They have been fighting for the right of the female athletes, they have encouraged them. We are extremely grateful to them.”
Dagim Zinabu Tekle founded a radio program dedicated to inspiring women and girls to be more active in sport and to pursue their goals and dreams. Over five years, the radio program has invited 12,580 guests, including sports leaders, coaches, professionals and sportswomen engaged in local and international women’s sports activities. This has significantly raised awareness among the public of the achievements and success of these women.
Introduced in 2000, the IOC Women and Sport Trophies recognize the outstanding achievement and contributions made to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls in sport at all levels. Five continental and one world trophies are awarded every year.
In addition to the world trophy awarded to Dagim Zinabu Tekle, this year’s trophies go to the following people:
Winner for Africa: Felicite Rwemarika (Rwanda) – As well as founding the Organization of Kigali Women in Sports, Rwemarika fought for the creation of a national council for women in sport in Rwanda. She has devoted her life to helping women and girls in different areas, and particularly sport.
Winner for the Americas: Dr. Carole Oglesby (USA) – President of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, President of the National Association of Girls and Women’s Sport, President of Women Sport International and co-Chair of the International Working Group on Women and Sport. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Oglesby has devoted herself to the growth and development of women’s studies and the advocacy of women in sport.
Winner for Asia: Maria Leonor Estampador (Philippines) – Athlete, first female national fencing coach, sports official and leader, Estampador has championed providing broader opportunities for women in both administrative and technical responsibilities within sport.
Winner for Europe: Majken Maria Gilmartin (Denmark) – As both a football coach and sports administrator, Gilmartin has persistently advocated women’s rights in all her activities, events, coaching and campaigns.
Winner for Oceania: Moya Dodd (Australia) – Former international footballer, Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation, and member of the FIFA and AFC Legal Committees, Dodd has championed women’s rights within the game and raised global awareness about the need to bring more gender diversity into all areas of sports governance.
This story first appeared in the blog, The Sport Intern. The editor is Karl-Heinz Huba of Lorsch, Germany. He can be reached at ISMG@aol.com. The article is reprinted here with permission of Huba.