Veteran sports journalist and founder of the FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, has been honoured with the prestigious International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) Role Model of the Year Award in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The biennial ISCA Awards celebrate individuals and organisations employing sports and physical activity as instruments for social change, inclusion, and empowerment across the globe. This year’s edition attracted nominations from numerous countries, showcasing inspiring figures who have leveraged their platforms to transform lives and communities through sport.
Atoyebi, a leading advocate for sports development and gender inclusion, triumphed over other globally recognised nominees, including Farid Walizadeh, an Afghan refugee based in Portugal who overcame tremendous odds to become a national boxing champion and a passionate advocate for refugee rights, and Zainab Hussaini, a courageous Afghan woman who defied societal constraints to empower women through sport, becoming the first woman to run a marathon in Afghanistan.
Arabinrin Aderonke’s work through the FAME Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering women and young girls through sport, particularly distinguished her. Her initiatives have reached girls in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, slum communities, and rural areas, employing football and other sporting activities as tools to build self-confidence, impart essential life skills, and promote social inclusion.
Through her unwavering advocacy and leadership, Atoyebi has become a catalyst for gender equality and youth empowerment in Nigeria and beyond, demonstrating how sport can serve as a potent medium for education, unity, and hope.
As part of the recognition, she received a €3,000 cash prize, in addition to the global visibility afforded by the ISCA award.
Speaking after receiving the accolade, Aderonke expressed profound gratitude and excitement over the honour, dedicating it to her team and all those who have supported her journey.
“This award means a great deal to me. It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I have invested over the years,” she remarked. “Being recognised on such an international platform shows that no effort towards positive change ever goes unnoticed. It motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and reaching more girls who need hope and opportunity.”
Aderonke’s recognition further solidifies Nigeria’s growing presence in global discussions surrounding sports for development and women’s empowerment. Her journey continues to inspire many young women across Africa to believe that with passion, dedication, and purpose, they too can effect lasting change.
