Development

Wrestling Present at 3rd Annual IOC-IF Gender Equality in Leadership Forum

Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 21:04 By Tim Foley

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LAUSAUNNE, Switzerland (April 12) – United World Wrestling sent two top leaders to this month's 3rd Annual IOC-IF Gender Equality in Leadership Forum in Lausanne.

Farnaz Panahidez, a member of United World Wrestling’s Women’s Commission member and Director of International Relations of Iran Wrestling Federation, presented at the forum alongside UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey. The duo on the advancements of UWW in gender equality and women’s wrestling on the panel of “meaningful Inclusion in decision making roles.”

Ms. Panahidez and Ms. Niamkey were joined on stage by World Rugby President, Mr. Beaumont, International Gymnastics Federation President, Mr. Watanabe, FISA Council Member, Ms. Ravensberger and Vice President of Luge, Mrs. Del Negro.

The forum included more than 150 participants presenting on a variety of topics, with the intention of further improving gender balance throughout all levels of international sport. The event was highlighted by the IOC Gender Equality Review Project recommendations, which includes 25 areas of focus to promote gender quality across international sport.

The forum was introduced by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

Highlighting the discussions were interactive panel sessions on women’s role in their respective sport’s election processes, the portrayal of sports women in the media, and a discussion of best practices by national and international federations in promoting women in sport.

United World Wrestling’s involvement in the forum was another example of the organization’s firm commitment to gender equality. Over the past few years United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic has taken several steps to ensure the inclusion of more women in the sport’s decision-making positions. He has also worked with partners to an increase in the number of women’s competitions and provide more visibility to women’s wrestling.

The Development Department, along with the Women and Sport Commission, have been tasked with turning the President’s commitment to gender equality and related initiatives into concrete action.

United World Wrestling Joins World Taekwondo for Historic Event at Azraq Refugee Camp

Saturday, July 20, 2019 - 12:27 By Tim Foley

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AMMAN, Jordan (July 20, 2019) – United World Wrestling (UWW), World Taekwondo (WT), and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) hosted the first-ever joint Olympic-sport training event, named Aspire 2gether for Peace, in the Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan.

The joint event is a tangible outcome of the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UWW, WT, and THF on 22 October 2018 to promote humanitarian, peace and social-development through sport. The Aspire 2gether for Peace event, sees UWW unite with WT and THF to deliver wrestling training to refugees at the existing Humanitarian Taekwondo Center.
 


The event was attended by a senior delegation from all three organizations and included WT President and  THF Chairman Chungwon Choue, Olympic gold medallists and THF/WT Ambassadors, Wu Jingyu and Ahmed Abu Ghaush; UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey and Olympic medallists and UWW Ambassadors, Arsen Julfalakyan and Clarissa Chun. IOC Executive Board Member HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein attended on behalf of the IOC and UNHCR delegates attended the event on Filippo Grandi’s behalf.

THF/WT President Choue delivered an opening address, and UWW Development Director Deqa Niamkey also gave a speech on behalf of UWW President Nenad Lalovic, ‘Playing sport helps children building mental strength, resilience and fundamental skills. Thanks to the Jordanian Royal family and WT and THF to have invited United World Wrestling to this historic joint-event. We are delighted to have joined forces with World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation to show that our MoU was not just words, but the start of a real and tangible partnership which will benefit refugee children around the world.’


A wrestling demonstration with the refugee children was carried out following the Azraq taekwondo team demonstration. Wrestling and Taekwondo lessons were also given to the refugee children later of the day.


Arsen Julfalakyan (ARM) UWW ambassador and Athletes Commission Member said: “It is great to contribute to the lives of the refugees through sport and thanks to the opportunity given by the WT and THF, wrestling is in the Azraq sporting programme. The refugees need sport in their lives which will enhance their current difficult situation with the hope that peace will reach their country. UWW is very proud to inspire the future generations."


United World Wrestling is committed to making a long-term contribution to improve the lives of the refugee children in Azraq. Together with Jordanian Olympic Committee and Jordanian Wrestling Federation, 4 local coaches will be running a 6- day a week schedule to provide wrestling lessons to children currently living in the camp.