Catching Up with Courageous Use of Sport Award Winner Zoya
October 7, 2022
We are currently accepting entries for Beyond Sport’s sixth annual Courageous Use of Sport Award presented by WWE through October 31. In celebration, we’re catching up with last year’s winners to give us an update on their community work and to provide words of wisdom for those applying for this year’s award. This week, we spoke to Zoya Siddiqui from Mumbai, India.
Growing up in a conservative culture in India, Zoya's community expected her to conform to traditional gender roles, including staying at home and not playing sports. However, with support from her parents, she chose to challenge gender biases and seek out opportunities for herself and other girls. Zoya began attending sessions at the OSCAR Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering youth in low-income areas through education and soccer. She soon became a soccer coach and mentor, mobilizing her community and encouraging young people, especially girls, to participate in sport and pursue an education.
Zoya shared that her work with the OSCAR Foundation has been amazing over the last year. After completing her AIFF (All India Football Federation) ‘D’ Licence coaching course, she has had more opportunities to coach and mentor. She was especially pleased when one of her female participants got selected for the school team and another two won trophies at a soccer tournament. But the most exciting thing that happened for her was the opportunity to visit Manchester City in the UK to represent India at the Cityzens Giving Global Young Leader Summit.
“It was a great privilege and opportunity for me to attend this summit and I got to interact with like-minded youth from all around the world. This opened my eyes to what young people like me can achieve in this world with support and guidance,” she said.
Organized by Manchester City FC’s Cityzens Giving program, which supports communities and young soccer leaders, the summit was held in June and convened 40 young leaders from 20 cities around the world. In its eighth year, the event recognized and celebrated young leaders’ achievements in using soccer to positively impact the health of young people in their communities. Participants were selected for their dedication to supporting young people through football during the pandemic.
In addition to the summit, Zoya has continued to hold many youth sessions and training with the Foundation. “I conducted sessions with adolescent girls about creating safe spaces for self and for others, respecting your emotions, positive self-talk, pursuing what you love and more." She also led a session on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence to make girls aware of their rights and educate them about the problems they may face in their community.
She also assisted at the Karnataka Youth Leader Training where she trained 28 girls who didn’t have any football experience on a variety of topics like football skills, how to work with children, safeguarding and first aid. “These girls will now mobilize other children in their communities and villages and will help conduct football and life skill sessions.”
“I loved the experience of assisting the trainers at the Karnataka Young Leader Training. It was my first experience as a trainer and I’m excited about what the future has in store,” said Zoya. She shared that her journey to becoming a sports psychologist is going very well. Over the last year, she had a chance to learn a lot about how sports psychologists play an important link between the coach and players and how important small conversations and approaches with players can help develop relationships.
“I hope to connect with more youth, share my experiences and gain knowledge. I hope to pass all that I’ve learned from my mentors, the positive influences that have guided me in the right direction to people I connect with in the future.”
Upon winning the 2021 Courageous Use of Sport Award last year, Zoya had a chance to speak with WWE superstar Aliyah. “Winning the 2021 Courageous Use of Sport Award made a huge impact on me. I got wide recognition for the work I do which led to opportunities like the Cityzens Giving Global Young Leader Summit, and it boosted my confidence level. It was a great experience getting to chat with WWE superstar Aliyah. It motivated me to work even harder and encourage more girls to step up and play.”
She recommends all young people to apply for this year’s award to gain recognition and many new opportunities. “Winning this award added a new spectacular layer to my life, it gave me the motivation to work even harder. It is also a great platform to showcase your work and talent.”
Entries for the 2022 Courageous Use of Sport Award presented by WWE close October 31. Click here to learn more and apply.