One All’s Post

I had a very minor personal win this week. In March, players from a famous county cricket club that I support travelled abroad for a pre-season training tour. No surprise there, but in the country they went to same-sex relationships are illegal and LGBTQ+ rights are practically non-existent. Just days later, the same cricket club lauded their inclusive outreach work on social media. I got a bit fired up and wrote to them to express my disappointment and to ask (politely) to explain the disconnect between their values and their choice of training destination. This week I heard back from a representative from the club, and it seems I've put a big old gay cat among the pigeons. Apparently, in the intervening months, my email has sparked internal conversations and discussions “at all levels” including the club’s inclusivity board, members’ committee, playing staff and executive team. They can’t promise they'll never go back to that country but that my “suggestion of choosing locations more aligned with our inclusive values is noted and will be taken into account for future tours”. I’m now waiting to hear a more formal response from their inclusivity board, and we’ve promised to keep the lines of communication open, so it's not the end of the conversation, certainly not on my part. It’s not exactly revolutionary but I’m proud I took the time to express my frustration – and equally pleased to have caused a bit of a fuss! (those who know me know I don't really do fuss). So, in true LinkedIn-style, what are the lessons I can share from this experience? 1. Educate yourself on the complexities of #sportswashing; it’s truly pernicious and should be called out wherever we see it, but it's complicated and boycotts can hurt the people you're trying to support. (this is a good start: https://lnkd.in/eRkfVcff) 2. If you don’t agree with an organisation’s decisions, tell them. If they have integrity, they’ll be able to explain clearly why they did what they did. 3. If you have any influence in your organisations at all, remind those who work with you, under you or above you about the importance of living the values you talk about, no matter how difficult or challenging it is. 4. Support your local LGBTQ+ sports club. They do magnificent work with meagre resources. 🏳️🌈 🏏

📑3rd week task of #IOCYoungLeader program By spoting the light on "SPORT IS SUPPORT" , a reflection that could take place in such way sport's introduced a main action for change into the better promoting an everlasting values , for making a unified community under one purpose into one goal , following inclusion , gender equality and sustainability . #inclusion - can take many measures in several cases in introduced exemple is disability - , as I witnessed during the paraswimming competition , the same shapes of swimming were available for the competators with disability , which are currently the paralympians , I would like to use competator in a context where the inclusion get through the classification set out by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) uses classes S1 – S10 for different levels of physical impairment, with a lower number indicating a more severe impairment. furthermore , #GenderEquality, a primordial aspect , in shape of equal opportunities facilitating the inclusivity ,proving teamwork and unifying efforts by the name of sport education and ethics , no matter what his /her gender is . Also , having an involved community in sport , means promoting social and economic well-being , #Sustainability . Enhancing sustainability in sports is essential not only for reducing impacts - waste generation, and emissions from travel and infrastructure - but also for demonstrating leadership in climate action and community resilience such as involving education and awareness through integrating sustainability into branding, partnerships, and fan engagement can inspire broader eco-conscious behaviors among fans and communities . #IOCYoungLeader

Check out this insightful article on the impact of the F1 Academy in promoting gender equality and empowering female racers. Sara Jenkins #F1Academy #GenderEquality #WomenInMotorsport #WomenInSport

On the eventful day of 16 November, 2024, i presented myself at the Voxpop Nationals 2024 Debate Contest, full of seasoned, outstanding debaters and Honourable judges alloted to each room we were to present the fruits of our preparation in. This very day was the pre elimination round, where almost 400 contenders from various schools and colleges gathered to exchange rhetorics for and against the motion of a given topic, at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal. I was honoured to be granted such an opportunity to assess my own skills, for I argued against the motion of "This house believes that the participation of transgender athletes in cisgender categories of sporting events should be restricted". This motion was given 24 hours prior to the actual debate, however I rambunctiously sorted out every argument i needed, the empirical data to back it up and all necessary answers I'd need in case of a rebuttal, needless to say my research was finished, done and dusted in merely three hours. I write to express my pride in constructing a near impossible to refute document of arguments, that granted me a solid foundation to fall back on incase my speaking capabilities weren't on par. My arguments were meticulously put in place, with the most relevant information, the most recently revised regulations of sporting committees, and solid refutations of stigma that surrounds transgender individuals today. Although none of the 19 students sent from the TFFS contingent made it to the finals, and only one qualifying for the semi finals, i express my satisfaction with my efforts and awe at the astounding growth I've uncovered in myself thanks to this opportunity. This contest showed me that careful curation and the precision I've honed in this area are my strong suits. Moreover, I've emerged more rational, methodological, Adaptive and fostering poise when in situations of critical assessment. My focus, dedication and mastery have significantly gone up, and I'm very grateful for every opportunity like this that life has given me, for growth. This reinforces my emerged confidence, and riddance of my reluctance in signing up for competitions in the past few years. I've grown, and I'll continue to grow, to tell life, "throw every situation at me, I'll emerge stronger, and better" Here is my document of arguments.

🌈 As a passionate fan of the English Premier League, I’ve always admired initiatives like #RainbowLaces and the #NoRoomforRacism Action Plan. While I respect everyone's right to their beliefs and recognize that no one should impose their values on others, I firmly believe that practicing one's faith or values should never come at the expense of someone else’s dignity or rights. When captains choose not to wear inclusive symbols like the Rainbow Armband, it sends a message that it's acceptable to exclude or withhold support for the LGBTQIA+ community. As leaders and role models, their actions resonate far beyond the pitch. 💡 Fostering inclusion doesn’t mean betraying faith or values—it’s about balancing personal beliefs with the fundamental right of every individual to live and love freely. ⚽️ Let’s continue to champion initiatives that build bridges rather than walls, on and off the field. Together, we can create an environment where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. 💬 What are your thoughts on balancing personal values with promoting inclusion in sports or other fields? Let's discuss in the comments! #InclusionMatters #LGBTQIA #RainbowLaces #NoRoomForRacism #DiversityAndInclusion #LeadershipMatters #Allyship #EnglishPremierLeague #EqualityForAll

The spotlight on gender in the Olympics has highlighted the complexities faced by athletes, including a similar ordeal experienced by an Indian sportsperson and another. The sporting arena, often hailed as a bastion of human spirit, is increasingly becoming a complex battleground. While athletes like Zeng Zhiying and Flavia Saraiva have inspired us with their resilience, stories like Santhi Soundarajan and CeCe Telfer's highlight the darker side of competition. Soundarajan's ordeal, rooted in archaic gender testing, is a stark reminder of how discriminatory practices can shatter careers. Telfer's case, on the other hand, underscores the complexities of inclusion for transgender athletes, caught between the desire to compete and stringent eligibility criteria. These narratives force us to confront the ethical dilemmas at the heart of sports. How do we ensure fairness without compromising inclusivity? How can we protect the integrity of women's sports while also creating a space for transgender athletes? It's a delicate balance, one that requires thoughtful dialogue and policymaking. While celebrating athletic achievements, we must also address the systemic issues that can overshadow them. The Olympic stage, once a symbol of unity, is now a microcosm of societal challenges. It's imperative that we navigate these complexities with empathy and understanding, ensuring that every athlete, regardless of their background, has a fair chance to compete. #Olympics #sports #inclusion #gender #fairness #athletes #mentalhealth

In the business world, Onam can be an opportunity to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among employees. Hosting an Onam celebration or lunch at the office can help in promoting diversity and inclusion, and it can also be a way to show appreciation for employees from Kerala. It's important to be mindful of the significance of Onam and to approach the celebration with respect and cultural sensitivity. Celebrating Onam in the workplace can also be a way to learn about different cultures and traditions, fostering a more inclusive and understanding work environment.

Disclaimer: This is a satirical article... just posting here to express my views on this topic. This article from the Babylon Bee highlights a potential issue with transgender men competing in women's #boxing competitions. While the Babylon Bee is a satirical publication, the article raises valid concerns about fairness and safety in women's sports. If transgender men are allowed to compete against biological females, it could create an uneven playing field due to inherent physical differences. This could lead to unfair advantages for transgender athletes and potentially put female athletes at risk of injury. The #ParisOlympics must carefully consider the implications of allowing #transgender men to compete in women's events to ensure a level playing field for all athletes. #Olympics #LevelPlayingfield

Here comes the third week of IOC Young Leaders Learning Sprint. I want to discuss why sustainability, gender, and inclusion are important pillars of my project. I myself am an Ultimate Frisbee player and what makes me fall in love with this sport is its idea and spirit about fair-minded, communicate respectfully and enjoy playing. Also in the new game format of mixed team with different genders just demonstrates the value of inclusion. For my project, I would use the unique but ever-growing sport Ultimate Frisbee to illustrate the sustainability of sport participation and all the questions about gender and inclusion would also be included in the discussion to help participants better understand the power of sport. #LearningSprintIOCYL