Kibabii University’s celebrated alumna and Taekwondo Olympian, Faith Ogallo, attended the African Women Martial Arts Leaders Workshop held at the International Center of Martial Arts (ICM) in Chungju, Republic of Korea, between 11th and 15th November, 2024. The event, conducted under the auspices of UNESCO, aimed to empower African female martial artists, foster leadership, and promote capacity building through martial arts.
The ICM, established in December 2016 through a partnership between the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO, plays a pivotal role in advancing global priorities such as gender equality and youth empowerment. It achieves these goals by fostering peace, intercultural dialogue, and knowledge sharing, as well as promoting leadership development among women and youth through martial arts.
The workshop graced by Kenya’s Ambassador to Korea, Prof. Emmy Jerono Kipsoi brought together 20 participants from nine African countries, with Kenya being represented by nine delegates, including Faith Ogallo. Participants engaged in various activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities and martial arts skills. Key sessions included leadership training on women and youth empowerment led by Prof. Daeyoung Kim and a CPR and AED training session conducted by Roy Seo from the Korean Red Cross in Seoul.
Reflecting on her experience, Faith expressed gratitude for the opportunity to develop her leadership skills and expand her professional network.
“I am deeply honored for the opportunity granted by ICM, UNESCO, and Kibabii University to build my leadership capacity in martial arts and enhance my networking skills,” she said.
Flanked by the acting Dean of Students Dr. Benson Nasong’o, Ms. Ogallo presented her certificate of recognition to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo on 20th November, 2024. The VC commended her dedication to martial arts and urged her to continue excelling both as a trainer and as a professional athlete.
“You can achieve what eluded you at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, either through the students you train or by your own efforts,” he encouraged.
Currently, Faith serves as an intern and Taekwondo trainer in the Department of Student Affairs at Kibabii University. Her role involves nurturing young talent and inspiring the next generation of martial artists. Faith’s accomplishments and leadership continue to position her as a role model in the field of martial arts, not just in Kenya but across Africa.
