To mark International Women’s Rights Day, Peace and Sport announces the addition of eight new committed athletes to its Champions for Peace club. These high-level sportswomen join a group of over 100 Champions who are using their influence to promote peace.
In many parts of the world, women and girls still have to fight to gain access to sport and the opportunities it offers. Sport is not just a playground, it is also a vehicle for emancipation and self-confidence. The lack of female role models is recognised as a major barrier to girls’ participation in sport. Athletes have an unrivalled potential to inspire and catalyse change. These eight exceptional women and athletes embody this dynamic and are committed to promoting equal opportunities and the power of sport to transform the lives of young girls.
Eight voices for 8 March, to inspire and mobilize :
Cindy Ngamba (Boxing, Olympic Refugee Team) – “Ever since I got hold of the refugee community I understood that I was not just Cindy. I was representing many people and many label all around the world.”
Zakia Khudadadi (Para-taekwondo, Paralympic Refugee Team) – “Today, I represent millions of girls and women in my country. When I won my medal, I stood on the podium to bring them strength. I use my sport for freedom and for peace.”
Clarisse Agbegnenou (Judo, France) – “I can be named by many titles, but being a Champion for Peace is very important. Knowing that in today’s world there are many divergences, I try, with my good humor and my big smile, to say that we are all human, that we are different, but that we must live together.”
Grace Geyoro (Football, France) – “I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I’ve always wanted to do something for the development of women’s football there, but also for the development of women.”
Laura Juul (Football, Denmark) – “Joining the Champions for Peace club means a lot to me. I’ve started “Sport creates memories” and it’s very aligned with what Peace and Sport is doing and for me, making a difference through sport is really important. Sport has the power to make the world a better place.”
Masomah Ali Zada (Cycling, Olympic Refugee Team) – “We need to give peace a chance, because every country needs it, and children deserve to live in peace.”
Chechy Baena (Skating, Colombia) – “Sport is a powerful tool for preventing violence. Through my participation in the Friendship Games, I’ve seen first-hand how it can bring communities together and offer a brighter future.”
Mariana Pajon (Cycling – BMX, Colombia) – “For me this is a huge responsibility and honor. I worked to be Olympic champion and then came many responsibilities, and I realized that I could not only bring the country gold, but could also be a Champion for Peace and more.”
A strong commitment to a more inclusive world through sport
Through their disciplines and initiatives, they perfectly illustrate Peace and Sport’s mission: to use sport as a tool for building peace. Among their first actions with the organisation, they will strongly support the #WhiteCard 2025 campaign, calling on the international community to raise their white cards and make sport for peace and inclusion a real priority.
