This International Women’s Day, Brila Media celebrates Simidele Adeagbo, Nigeria’s first Winter Olympian and the first African woman to compete in skeleton, as a woman building the future of sport through opportunity and empowerment.
Through her SimiSleighs Foundation, Simidele provides grants and leadership programmes for female athletes across Africa and beyond, demonstrating the principle of Give to Gain: Women Building for the Future of Women in Sports.
Simidele’s Olympic journey highlighted both barriers and possibilities in sport, inspiring her to create structures that support female athletes while providing mentorship and leadership development for the next generation. “Gaining isn’t medals or accolades,” she says. “It’s girls breaking barriers and discovering opportunities they never imagined.”
Since its inception, the foundation has supported more than a thousand girls globally, offering resources, mentorship, and guidance that enable them to pursue ambitions both inside and outside sport.
By turning her personal breakthroughs into opportunities for others, Simidele ensures that girls see what is possible and know they belong in spaces that were previously inaccessible.
Also read: International Women’s Day: Give to Gain — Brila Media Celebrates Women Building for the future for women in sports
Despite challenges such as funding and programme management, Simidele remains driven by the long-term impact of her work. “Seeing girls find paths they never saw before makes it worth it,” she explains.
This International Women’s Day, Simidele Adeagbo embodies how one person’s achievements can create lasting opportunities, inspiring the next generation of girls to participate, lead, and thrive in sport.
