SurreyLeader.com - Igali holds inaugural Walk/Run for the Kids

Canadian Olympic champion Daniel Igali is inviting young and old to join him and a pair of fellow Olympians for the Igali Foundation’s first-annual Walk/Run for the Kids in Bear Creek Park.

Igali, a Simon Fraser University criminology graduate student and Surrey resident, and Simon Whitfield, a gold-medal triathlete, are ambassadors for Right To Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve the health of kids. The foundation has partnered with the City of Surrey and Right to Play to kick off the inaugural event.

Also expected to participate is female wrestling champion and SFU grad Carol Huyhn, who won Olympic gold in 2008. She’ll join other members of the SFU wrestling team along with head coach Mike Jones.

The goal is to promote physical activwity and highlight the progress of Maureen Matheny Academy, the school Igali builwt in his village of Eniwari, Nigeria.

Igali won gold for Canada in freestyle wrestling at the Olympic games in 2000 and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from SFU a year later. He opened the school in 2006 after raising nearly $600,000 and overseeing its construction.

Igali is hopeful the event will raise awareness of the ongoing needs of the school.

“We have come a long way with the school and I am excited to know that the communities here can continue to help us to improve education for these kids,” says Igali, who has spent most of his time in Nigeria since the school’s opening.

Igali will talk briefly about the project and his post-Olympic experiences.

“It’s an exciting time with the Winter Olympics only four months away,” says Igali, who is also among athletes featured in the online Canadian Olympic school program. “I hope the games continue to inspire young people to set goals, but most importantly to keep fit and active.”

The Igali Foundation’s inaugural Walk/Run For the Kids takes place at Surrey’s Bear Creek Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.