This year saw the launch of a very special initiative that inspires people to do something incredible for the first time.
India’s Olympic boxer Mary Kom is one of those people on a mission to do something extraordinary.
Launched by Vodafone, the initiative, Firsts, supports people with a vision – and that’s exactly what Mary has.
The five-time world champion wants to establish the very first female fight club in her native Manipur, in India. Her goal is to teach women and girls across the country to defend themselves and empower them both mentally and physically.
“When I was small, I was interested in every sport” she told Her.ie, “and for sports people it’s easier to learn self-defence. Because they’re already fit.”
“I’m a mother, so it’s very hard to come back to the ring, [for] many women, mothers, it will be a little bit hard to them but if we to give time, we can do it.”
Using mobile technology, 30-year-old Kom is also planning to release a self-defence app, teaching the many skills that she’s learned over the years.
“The crime is increasing day-by-day” she remarked of India, while admitting that even though she is a boxer she also at times doesn’t feel safe, “Now is the first time for this female fight club.”
Girls can start training in her clubs at quite a young age, says Kom; “Not very hard but from 6 to 12, we can start.”
“If they train, if they’re doing practice, training – then for them, it’ll get easier.”
Thanks to Firsts, her ambition is quickly becoming a reality, and using technology, they can not only create the self-defence app, but also a free SMS service providing for women across India who don’t have access to a smartphone, with security and advice on self-awareness.
Technology, she feels, will help her message to reach as many women in the country as possible, with people being able to access the information whenever they want, while at the same time boosting their self-esteem and teaching them to protect themselves.
When asked if she thought that this would become more than just a project in India, Mary simply answered:
“It’s a dream – I hope my dreams come true.”
Below, a trailer for Mary Kom’s “First Female Fight Club”. We wish her the best of luck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXlCcUaRTqA
