‘I found him to be a very humble and patient man with outstanding leadership skills’

Generation Amazing Ambassador Reem Osman is aiming to inspire young people in Lebanon after attending the Michael Johnson Foundation’s Young Leaders Programme in Dallas, US.
A former refugee, Osman is determined to increase the number of sporting activities offered to children in her home community. One of her main aims is to launch a girls’ football team at Beddawi refugee camp, where she lived in 2013.
Osman, 23, from Palestine, understands the power of sport after seeing the impact made by Generation Amazing’s pitch launch at Beddawi in 2010. Over the past seven years Generation Amazing – the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme – has launched football for development projects in five countries and directly benefited more than 30,000 people.
“I’m pretty sure there are girls out there who want to play all kinds of sports but they can’t,” said Osman, who attended the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa with Generation Amazing.
“This is why I want to create a football team for girls in Beddawi. I know it will be hard work but I’m determined to train the girls and help them become leaders.”
Right To Play, one of Generation Amazing’s delivery partners, supported Osman’s application for the Young Leaders Programme. She was one of only ten people chosen to participate in the scheme, and the only one from the Middle East and North Africa region.
During the camp, attendees participated in various activities related to leadership development, community engagement and sports coaching. They will subsequently receive support to deliver a year-long project that uses sport to engage and improve their communities.
Reem Osman interacted with Olympic legend Michael Johnson during the seven-day course which helped her learn new skills
Osman said: “I want to change lives. I know it may not be easy, but I want to change my community and make sure my project is sustainable and continues long after I have left.
“I think if I lead, other girls will become leaders and role models. This happened to me thanks to Generation Amazing, so it’s important I pass on the knowledge and experience I’ve gained.”
Osman now lives in Tripoli, 15 minutes away from Beddawi, where she is studying business at the University of Balamand. She met athletics legend Johnson during the Young Leaders Programme and was impressed by his career, despite not being aware of his achievements prior to the trip. Johnson won four gold medals and broke numerous world records during an outstanding career.
Osman said: “When we were introduced I said ‘I’ve never heard of you’. He burst out laughing and said ‘People don’t usually say that to me’. Everyone else laughed too.
“When I found out what he had achieved I was amazed. I found him to be a very humble and patient man with outstanding leadership skills. It was very inspiring to meet him.”
The seven-day course helped Osman learn a variety of new skills.
She added: “It was intense – we had theory sessions, practical assessments and had to deliver presentations to young people. Overall it was an incredible experience. I’ve made friends for life and feel inspired to come back to Lebanon and make a difference.”