EQUITYSPORT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL BOLSTERED BY AVICE MEYA
The Ugandan National Swim Team Captain is the latest athlete from sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen the equitysport Advisory Council, advising and guiding programme development and helping target the charity's advocacy work.
Meya, daughter of Uganda National Cricket Team star, Andrew Meya and Uganda National basketball Team star Rosette Meya has represented Uganda at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2017 World Aquatics Championships among other international and regional competitions. Out the pool, Avice also acts as an Athletes Representative on the Uganda Olympics Committee and the Uganda Swimming Federation.
Currently based in Taiwan whilst studying a Masters degree in international relations and diplomacy, Meya is a passionate advocate for the growth and development of swimming across Africa, a sport that has traditionally been dominated by teams from Europe and North America.
With equitysport, Meya will be sitting on the charity's Advisory Council, helping to shape policy and develop high-impact programmes to build capacity and advance equitable sporting opportunities to under-served and disadvantaged groups and communities; ensuring our resources and energies continue to support local initiatives, local people and local ideas.
Tim Harper, Executive Director at equitysport said of the announcement:
"Avice approached us a few months ago to talk about her journey in sport as an ambitious and super-talented Ugandan swimmer. It was a story we'd heard too many times before - a lack of opportunity, little qualified support, disjointed facility access, a dearth of funding and no local role models to help bridge the gap between raw talent and full potential.
Avice outworked those challenges and made it to the top of her sport - and that's credit to her as an athlete and as a person. But, we know that for every Avice Meya, there are thousands more young people across sub-Saharan Africa who never get their chance to access or participate in sport. That's not acceptable for an institution built on the values of universalism.
I'm incredibly excited and honoured for equitysport to benefit from Avice's insight as we continue to expand our programmes, support more local initiatives and advocate for real, tangible changes to deliver a fairer, more equitable global sporting world; one that caters to everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from or what your background might be."
Avice Meya added:
"I am excited to start this journey with equitysport - when one door closes another one opens... Opportunities like these ,you grab them and make them life changing not only for yourself but for the betterment of others. Something I really look forward too."
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equitysport is a registered charity (#1189559) that exists to advance and promote equality, diversity and equal opportunity in and through global sport. Through free-form development, targeted advocacy, vocational training and education programmes the charity seeks an inclusive and equitable sporting ecosystem that lives up to the true values of sport.
Notes to Editors
For interviews or further comment, please contact the team via: hello@equitysport.org