Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) executive committee member Felicite Rwemalika has been awarded the IOC Women and Sport Africa Trophy by the IOC president, Thomas Bach.

This was during a gala at the SwissTech Convention Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Monday night.

Rwemalika, a founding member of the Organisation of Kigali Women in Sports who also spearheaded the creation of the national council for women in sport in Rwanda, was honoured for devoting her life to helping women and girls in different areas, particularly sports.

Ethiopian Dagim Zinabu Tekle was also awarded the IOC Women and Sport World Trophy.

The Ethiopian sports journalist founded a radio programme dedicated to inspiring women and girls to be more active in sport and to pursue their goals and dreams.

For over five years, the radio programme has hosted some 12,580 guests, including sports leaders, coaches, professionals and sportswomen engaged in local and international women’s sports activities.

"This has significantly raised awareness among the public about the achievements and success of women,” according to a statement.

Introduced in 2000, the IOC Women and Sport Trophies are meant to recognise the outstanding work that seeks to promote women and girls’ participation in sports at all levels.

Five continental and one world trophies are awarded every year.

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