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October 15, 2021
Entries for the fifth annual Courageous Use of Sport Award presented by WWE are being accepted through the end of today. In celebration of the award, we have been catching up with past winners to give us an update on their important community work, and to provide words of wisdom for those applying this year. This week, we spoke to 2020 Courageous Use of Sport Award winner Dickens Omondi Odhiambo from Kenya.
Born and raised in Kibera, Kenya, a severely impoverished part of the capital of Nairobi, Dickens had a challenging childhood. He and his family dealt with a lot of hardships which contributed to poor self-esteem. He explained that he lacked confidence in his appearance and found it hard to accept himself for who he was.
Luckily yoga entered his life. Through the practice, Dickens was able to overcome his issues with his physique, improve his mental health and was introduced to financial opportunities. “Yoga helped me accept myself for who I am, to love my body, to love my mind and I’ve even managed to create a community from it that I didn’t have before.”
Over the years, he developed into a stellar yoga teacher, working with numerous youth groups, Africa Yoga Project and community ventures as a educator, coach, trainer and mentor. Dickens has a great passion for driving social change in his community and has helped transform the lives of many youth in Kibera.
“Being a wellbeing leader is the greatest part of being a yoga teacher. Taking yoga to my community is something that I consider as leadership, just being there and teaching my students is making a positive change on their mind and their body.”
Dickens is currently facilitating Zumba fitness classes and will become a certified Zumba fitness trainer this December. He is also developing his own fitness brand, Fit with Dickey, which looks to involve people of all ages within his community with activities like yoga and dance.
“Through diverse skills and experience, I will use the brand to impact the wellbeing of people within my community with affordable fitness services and occasional free classes,” he said.
During the pandemic’s peak in Kenya, he provided virtual yoga classes on social media and zoom to continue to support his community. With a current rise COVID-19 cases in the country, its Ministry of Health has imposed restrictions which have impacted Dickens’ classes. After recently getting his vaccine, he is now encouraging his participants to also take it to be safe and so that there is a greater opportunity of returning to in-person classes.
Last year, Dickens had the chance to speak with WWE Superstar Nia Jax. During the conversation, he described winning the award as an acknowledgment of the impact and influence that can come from the practice of yoga. “The recognition still means so much to me and makes me believe that everything is possible. If I believe in myself and my service to my community through yoga, I can achieve greater influence and impact in Kibera.”
He advises young leaders to apply for the 2021 award and to follow their passion for using sport with intention. “Take advantage of every opportunity, situation and challenge to create an impact on your goal for social change.”
Entries for the 2021 Courageous Use of Sport Award close at midnight EDT, October 15. Click here to apply.
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