RUNNING aLONE 21.1km in SUDAN TO EMPOWER & ENABLE MUAYTHAI SUDAN

In 2018 Faisal Zakaria Diamond Flyer and I traveled to Sudan and held a two week Muaythai Seminar in Khartoum which over the two weeks was attended by 60- 80 plus fighters and trainers, young and old, beginners to experienced trainers, men and women. The Purpose of this first Seminar was to pass on Faisals ( and My ) skills and experience in Muaythai, to develop further the skills and knowledge of all aspects of Muaythai to the students and trainers in Sudan. To go back to Faisal's roots and empower any way we can those in Sudan who are striving to become champions like him, their hero in Muaythai and create income for their families from the sport of Muaythai.

It was a humbling and an incredibly challenging but rewarding experience working with so many young hungry and driven fighters and trainers and gyms that are doing there utmost with what little they have in a practical sense to train and fight and be the champions they aspire to be. They are passionate and dedicated, strong and skilled, very gifted and it is clear that given the opportunities they deserve, have potential to succeed beyond expectation and be extremely successful within the global Muaythai community and In International Competition. They just need a chance, Faisal and I are in a position with our contacts, skills, experience and passion to work with them to provide that chance and opportunity

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We have since our time in Sudan worked extremely hard to and have a newly established MUAYTHAI FEDERATION OF SUDAN ( with a few political delays ) the newly established Sudan Federation of Muaythai - no small task in itself and something we are incredibly proud of! it will mean that Sudan Muaythai will register with IFMA ( International Federation of Muaythai Amateur ) and WMC ( World Muaythai Council ) in Thailand ( and whom we have the full and active support of ) which will then mean that the young Muaythai athletes of Sudan can start competing in International Muaythai tournaments and competitions thus building their experience and reputation within The Global Muaythai Community, potentially creating an income from the sport in order to provide for their families in Sudan. There in is our motivation and driving force to develop the Sport of Muaythai in Sudan - to develop the sport to where young ( and struggling ) skilled athletes can create an income for their families via the incredible sport of Muaythai.

Sudan is a Poor and struggling country - There is absolutely no denying that - lacking even the most basic practical equipment like Kick Bags, Pads, Headgear, Shields, Gloves, Shinguard's and various basic gym equipment that enables us more fortunate to train effectively and to a professional level. To date we have given all that is possible ( from our own pockets and with thanks to gyms and fighters in New Zealand and internationally) in the way of equipment to them but that is only the beginning of our intentions...the gyms need better equipment, the trainers need to be up skilled, there needs to be more education as to rules/regulations of IFMA WMC Muaythai competitions, There needs to be local and regional Muaythai events held in Sudan to provide ring time experience, There needs to be an official Federation Headquarters and staff....I could go on and on

Something I am incredible passionate about is the empowerment of Women through Muaythai - which I currently to an incredible amount of work in...empowering women through Muaythai and Sport is something that I will develop further into in Sudan with a female commission working solely on this cause. It was incredible to see Sudanese women attending the seminar and training in Muaythai in Sudan and I want to work with them closely moving forward.... The other sport i am passionate about and that has the ability to empower is Running - It is not something that comes easily or naturally to me but I love Running and have done since my early 20's - now at 44 I am bring all my passions together and RUNNING a LONE HALF MARATHON ( 21.1KM ) IN SUDAN from Khartoum to Omdurman running over the Nile TO RAISE INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS AND FUNDS TO EMPOWER AND ENABLE YOUNG MUAYTHAI ATHLETES OF SUDAN.

It is actually my hope that as there no registered Running Races in Sudan that it will become an annual fully registered and recognized International Half Marathon that can continue to raise awareness and funds for Muaythai and Sport in Sudan. This is my dream. Inshallah!