Written by Canadian SportWORKS Officer, Gabe Podivinsky
Gabe’s international experiential learning experience is funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) Program. This collaborative initiative is made possible through the leadership of the Rideau Hall Foundation, in collaboration with Community Foundations of Canada, Universities Canada, and Canadian universities. Through its promotion of international student exchange and civic engagement, the QES program is helping to grow young Canadians into global citizens while promoting Canada as a destination for the world’s top talent and attracting top talent and international research leaders to Canada.
I would argue that these blogs have been the greatest trilogy of writing since Suzanne Collins wrote The Hunger Games in the late 2000’s. Like any good writer, I distinguish the truth from the noise and hopefully bring my experience to life in a way that is engaging for you the reader. Through these blogs I have been able to find my voice and write in a way that is me. There isn’t the confines of APA that exists with academia writing. This has been a freeing experience that has helped me reflect while practice my storytelling. So thank you for letting me take you on a brief part of this grandiose adventure through the Masai Mara of Eastern Africa.
My work with the Cheza Healthy project has been challenged as a result of civil unrest that has been going on throughout Kenya. Those of Gen Z have actively been demonstrating their frustration with the current government. There was a new finance bill which was focused on increasing taxes on the people. The citizens took a stand and voiced their concerns through these demonstrations and as a result the government threw the bill out. It was a win for democracy as the voice of the concerned citizens was not only heard, but was respected. But there are still those who have been actively seeking the resignation of the president and still wish to see reform come from within. It has added stress and tension to the streets and in turn we have elected to not go to schools as we are unsure of what will develop as result of the protests. We are taking it day at a time. If you have time please read this article which explores the history behind the unrest and explains the social aspect behind the movement. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/east-and-southern-africa/kenya/what-behind-kenyas-protest-movement.
Before the protests began, we went to Kenya High to help facilitate and participate in their sports day at the school. It was a beautiful campus where all 2000 students gathered on the field and participated in a variety of events from tug of war, 100 meter and 4×400 to name a few. We as NOCK participated in the 4×100 meter race with a deadly relay team. I was given the anchor position and was ready to do my part. I sprinted as fast as I could when I got the baton arms pumping leaping strides like a gazelle in the Savannah. (We lost). It was a fun day, it was also a hot day and not learning from the tennis tournament I forgot the SPF and paid the price. Following the events, there was a brief assembly and award presentation where I presented the school with a certification of participation as well as gave a speech on what Cheza Healthy is and a promise to return to aid in the implementation of a sport for development club at their school.
I was invited to my first ever sports forum, over the weekend of June 28-30th. NOCK hosted an event for all 37 sport federations within Kenya. Each federation’s President and Secretary General were invited to participate and many did. It was a two day event focused on development of sport with multiple speakers as well as Olympic preparation. There was 8 different sessions over Friday evening to Sunday morning each with a specific focus ranging from sponsorship to Olympic development and youth engagement, to name a few. It was an incredible weekend and was nice to get outside of Nairobi and see a bit more of the countryside. I have my first ever badge and name tag from a professional event and its a pretty cool memento I get to take home. It’s part of the next step into the development of my professional self.
We are 9 days away from the start of Paris 2024 (as of July 17th.) It is all hands on deck in preparation for Team Kenya athletes and us at NOCK. We have 70 athletes representing Kenya, 38 men and 32 women in 6 disciplines. Athletics, swimming, rugby 7’s, volleyball, judo, fencing. It is the most athletes the country has sent to the Olympic games, in the most events and being the most evenly balanced in regards to gender representation. In other words, we as the Olympic Secretariat are proud of team that is going to represent the 50 million plus Kenyans on the Olympic stage.
I learned last week that Kenya is the most successful African country in the Olympics. They lead the way with a total medal count of 113. Second is South Africa with 89. Pure domination out of East Africa. There has been a ton of events going on in regards to preparation and getting the country excited for the games. A few weeks ago I was helping with a commercial shoot for Tusker (beer sponsor) involving some of the athletes. To see it around Nairobi streets and TV’s now is pretty nuts, we are getting closer to these games by the second and everything is coming together. There is an excitement in the office and country. You can feel it. There are hopes that we have prepared the athletes to have the most successful Olympic games in African history.
Part of this experience has been filled with unbelievable opportunities and moments. One that absolutely stands out is last week we were invited to the State House to meet the President of the country as part of the ceremonial unveiling and flagging off of Team Kenya Olympic Ceremonial Kit. It is one of those moments where all I could do was sit there and think is this real? What am I an intern from Canada doing at the Presidential State House? It was a bit stressful, as my name wasn’t on the list so I was stuck standing with security for an hour and a half before I was finally let in. Thank god I was wearing my NOCK shirt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=049RNrSDuV4 (Link to the Full Ceremony if any of you are interested)
All athletes are currently in Miramas, France at the final preparation camp before the Olympics. Home for the next five weeks until the end of the games. Before I left on this journey I had thought there was a 3.84% chance I would’ve been asked to go to Paris. But I’ll be holding down the fort in Nairobi. We are preparing a few smaller activities during the games to get the community involved and excited. An opening day watch party, an elementary Olympics, a course on Olympic history. Working with the Olympic Values Education Program we are eagerly awaiting the start of the games here. We have a live stream from camp on the office TV to see the athletes as they train and hang out. It’s a more athletic version of big brother from 1984 always watching them.
With my time nearing its end in the placement, I have been hard at work developing the program plan for further implementation for the next Canadian SportWORKS officer who arrives in September. David Cobos. I had the privilege to meet with him already and I am confident in his ability to carry the torch and further implement and develop the Cheza Healthy program. Truth be told I think he will have more success than me in program development as there will be more time to focus on the project. As much success as I have had, I have found it trying sometimes as the main focus currently at NOCK is on the Olympic games. I have the capacity to aid in the planning process for him for where the project needs to go from here. Our long term goal is to reach 30 schools by the end of 2024 and I truly believe that it is achievable. We also hope to develop the first training for the clubs and ideally expand beyond Nairobi into other counties in Kenya. These are attainable goals that will reflect the hard work of all Canadian SportWORKS Officers as well as NOCK. I am proud of what I have done, to achieve this much and have this experience under my belt going into my last year of school is surreal. I have fulfillment in my work that I had thought I had lost. Sport has always been my passion and to be able to transition from playing to being a Canadian ambassador of sport is something that I do not take lightly. I am able to hold my head up high and think “Hell yeah Gabe”.
In personal news I am set to head to Tanzania on July 28th and hike Kilimanjaro from July 29th to August 5th. I am nervous for sure, but I know I’ll be able to do it. The mental battle is 80 percent of the struggle and I am not gonna let a little altitude stop me from getting to the top. I have been prepping here as best as I can it has been difficult, running on the streets is no easy feat and there aren’t pathways you can simply hop on. So it has been a lot of hot girl walks on the incline treadmill. #Fierce If you want a rock from the top let me know I’ll see how many I can fit into my bag. It may be closer to a pebble though so don’t get your hopes up .
*Top ten songs I have been listening to so far over the trip: 1. Bright Blue Day Haze – Mystic braves 2. Twenty Nine – The Abigails 3. London Calling – The Clash 4. Crooked Teeth – Zach Bryan 5. Live Well – Palace 6. Touch of Grey – Grateful Dead 7. There is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths 8. Lowlife -Heaters 9. Oak Island – Zach Bryan 10. Flower – Moby. Please send suggestions for me to build a sweet playlist for the summit push on Kili.
Anyways, this has brought us to the end of another month. I want to thank everyone back home for reading it means a lot. Stay tuned for the potential final instalment coming after my hike, where I will be resting the legs and finalizing my work on the project as it will take on its own life. Also drink your electrolytes Stampede recovery is no joke.
Cheers,
Gabe
PS. Congratulations to my cousin Ben and his beautiful wife Nichole who got married on July 6th, I am so happy for both of you and wish you nothing but love, happiness, memories and growth as you continue to build a loving relationship. I love you both.
PSS. I wouldn’t be doing my job as the Events and Engagement Assistant for MRU Cougars if I didn’t use the end of this to advertise the beginning of the varsity soccer seasons. The men begin their Canada West title defence on August 24th at home against the University of Lethbridge. The women will look to build off their successes of last season and start the season 1-0 at home against the University of Victoria on August 29th. If you have read this far it means you care about me. So come support my school and have a fun afternoon, hey maybe I’ll even pick you for the halftime games. Hope you see you there.