Noameshie Djatougbé Amélé Nathalie, vice-president of the Togolese National Olympic Committee, officially launched a new initiative titled “Young Girl Leader through Sport and the Development of Women’s Volleyball” on Thursday, November 28, 2019. The project aims to empower young girls through sport while promoting leadership skills and strengthening women’s volleyball across the country.
Designed primarily for female students, the program seeks to combine education, athletic participation, and personal development. Nathalie’s objective is to use sport as a tool to build confidence, determination, and responsibility among young girls, helping them grow into future leaders both on and off the field. The initiative is structured in two main phases and will be implemented across Togo’s five regions.
The first phase focuses on mobilizing girls from middle and high schools through a large-scale fun run followed by awareness campaigns. These activities are intended to bring participants together in a positive and inclusive environment while promoting Olympic values such as excellence, respect, and friendship. Beyond the physical aspect, the events aim to encourage regular sports participation and instill important life skills.
Speaking at the official launch, Nathalie explained that the project is part of her commitment as a recipient of the International Olympic Committee’s Women and Sport Award. She emphasized that sport can play a key role in shaping young girls’ self-esteem and courage, while also teaching teamwork and perseverance. By creating opportunities for girls to engage in athletic activities, she hopes to inspire a lasting culture of participation and leadership.
A former Togolese national volleyball player herself, Nathalie wants to share her experience and knowledge with the next generation. This ambition forms the basis of the second phase of the project, which centers on the development of women’s volleyball. Young girls aged between 10 and 14 will be identified and selected for specialized training programs, particularly those who show physical potential and interest in the sport.
The goal of this phase is to prepare these participants to eventually strengthen Togo’s junior and cadet women’s volleyball teams within the next three years. By investing early in talent development, the initiative seeks to build a stronger pipeline for the national teams and raise the overall standard of women’s volleyball in the country.
Initially, Nathalie had hoped to reach between 1,000 and 2,000 girls per region. However, limited financial resources have forced organizers to adjust their targets. With primary support coming from the IOC and local Olympic structures, the number of participants has been reduced to around 400 girls per site. Similarly, the project was planned for eight training locations, but funding currently allows for only four.
Despite these constraints, Nathalie remains determined to expand the program. She has called on development partners and sponsors to provide additional support to help extend the initiative to more cities and reach a greater number of young girls. Her vision is to ensure that today’s students can grow into confident, capable women who contribute positively to society through sport and leadership.
