Former athlete and coach, Ms. Maria Leonor Estampador is one of the continental trophy winners during the 2016 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport Awards ceremony on 7 November 2016 at the SwissTech Convention Center in Ecublens, Lausanne.

The IOC Women and Sport Awards were introduced in 2000 to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of those who work tirelessly to promote gender equality in sport. Each year, the IOC have to choose six winners- the World Trophy winner and five Continental Trophy winners from among 50 strong candidatures.

The recipients of these awards are true role models and change-makers. Their work has made huge difference for women and girls involved in sport on local, national and global levels. They have worked to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls in sport not only as athletes, but also as coaches, administrators, leaders and as members of the media.

Ms. Estampador, fencing gold medallist during the 1993 Southeast Asian Games, and now a national coach has championed in providing broader opportunities for women in both administrative and technical responsibilities within sport. She is the Philippines’ first-ever female national fencing coach and is currently the administrative manager of the Asia Fencing Confederation. Her career as an athlete, coach and sports official and leader has made her a role model and inspiration for women in sport. She has also been instrumental in establishing the women’s council of the Fencing Confederation of Asia.  

Through Ms. Estampador’s initiatives, there are now more women involved in the Confederation than ever before. She also launched the campaign to increase the quota of women on the International Fencing Federation’s Executive Committee, Commissions and Councils. 

She has also been involved in discussions, policy formulation and activities relating to gender awareness and women’s issues. Free fencing lessons to young children and teenagers, establishment of the first interschool fencing competition in the Philippines and the creation of the Women Fencing awards are just few of Ms. Estampador’s achievements.

During the awarding ceremony, Mrs. Mikee Conjuangco-Jaworksi, Philippine representative and member of the IOC, handed the Continental Trophy to Ms. Estampador. Winners from other continents are as follows: Africa- Ms. Felicite Rwemarika (Rwanda); Americas- Dr. Carole Oglesby (USA); Europe- Ms. Majiken Maria Gilmartin (Denmark); and Oceania- Ms. Moya Dodd (Australia).

The winner of the World Trophy award is Ethiopian sports journalist Mr. Dagim Zianu Tekle. He founded a radio program dedicated to inspiring women and girls to be active in sport. His radio program has influenced various clubs and federations to open their doors for women to participate in sport and create opportunities to make a change on the field of sport. He is the first male recipient of the award. 

Mr. Thomas Bach, IOC President (third from the right), Ms. Lydia Nsekera, Chair of the IOC Women in Sport Commission (leftmost) and

Ms. Maria Leonor Estampador (second from the right) poses with other winners. 

Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Permanent Representative to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in

Geneva (second from the right) and Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Joselito Jimeno (third from the left) gave their full support to

the Philippine’s pride during the awarding ceremony.