News & Publications

The Place of Refugees in Games and Sport: What Works for Refugees?

An ICECP Class of 2024 Success Story: The Place of Refugees in Games and Sport: What Works for Refugees? The Fencing Athlete-to-Coach Development Model and the Coaching Evolution Model for Long-Term Athlete Development What is the place of refugees in games and sport, and what truly works for refugees? This question has guided our work in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region. It challenges the global sports community to move beyond viewing refugees simply as participants and to recognize them as athletes, coaches, referees, technical officials, sports administrators, innovators, and leaders who can shape the future of sport. Through the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) Class of 2024 IOC Solidarity Scholarship beneficiaries supported by Olympic Solidarity, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and the University of Delaware, Coach Jennifer Oldham and Coach Eliakim Otieno shared a common vision: to strengthen sport by investing in people. Their collaboration sought to demonstrate that quality coaching education, long-term athlete development, and inclusive leadership can transform refugee and host communities while creating sustainable pathways to sporting excellence. This vision was translated into action through the introduction of fencing, taekwondo, athletics, and lacrosse as new sports in Kakuma Refugee Camp, expanding sports development opportunities for refugee and host communities. The initiative complements existing programmes in football (soccer), basketball, and Baseball5, creating a more diverse and inclusive sporting environment. By broadening the range of sports available, the programme provides refugees, university fencing students, and young people from host communities with greater opportunities to participate, develop new skills, compete at various levels, and emerge as future athletes, coaches, referees, and leaders.