KARACHI: In what is seen as a great honour for Pakistan, Ada Jaffery, Deputy Secretary Women & Sports Commission, National Olympic Committee (NOC) Pakistan became the first Memosian and Madella award nominee this week in Lausanne at The Olympic Museum.

Her research project titled Developing a Model of Education based on Personal Development, Life Skills and Olympic Knowledge to Empower the National Team Athletes of Pakistan was nominated for the prestigious Alberto Madella Award along with other three nominees from Australia, Belgium and Mexico.

Ada graduated after completing her executive masters in the Management of Sports Organisation (MEMOS) from The International Olympic Committee Olympic Solidarity at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne earlier this week.

Though the Madella trophy was awarded to the candidate of Belgium, Jaffery’s project was considered the best amongst Canada, Germany, Ukraine, Slovenia and Belize. 33 countries presented their projects at The Olympic Museum and were given their diplomas by Patrick Baumann IOC Member — Secretary General of FIBA — GAISF President and a Memosian.

POA president, retired Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan has praised Ada Jaffery’s academic excellence at this global platform. He was glad to share that Ada will be speaking at MEMOS Convention II on the concept of “Global Olympic Schools” to be held at Portugal later in December 2018.

It may be mentioned here that the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) is working in line with the Olympic Agenda 2020 and the special 25 Recommendations of the IOC to bring a substantial change in sports organisation by bringing parity in gender equality. Ada is the first woman to have been selected by POA for this prestigious course keeping in line with its policy of gender empowerment.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2018