Hungarian Sport Manager on a Mission to Unify Her Community Through Adaptive Sport

Réka Lukoviczki grew up as an active child and developed a deep connection to sports early in life. However, during physical therapy sessions in 2014, she gained a deeper appreciation for the impact of physical activity for persons with disabilities. Réka had recently lost her leg during a car accident, an experience that transformed her life forever and helped her find new meaning and purpose.

Réka worked for Suhanj Foundation in 2019, an organization focused on adaptive sport opportunities, where she helped para-athletes train for road races, including marathons and half-marathons. She also gave speeches in schools and local communities on the topic of disability to build bridges between people with different backgrounds. Her efforts are still vital, given that in Hungary, persons with disabilities are often perceived as incapable and are underestimated in their capacity to lead independent lives.

In 2021, Réka graduated with a degree in Sport Management from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. Driven by her personal experience, she is now on a mission to find new ways to serve and unite her community. Through the GSMP, Réka aims to learn best practices in raising social awareness, developing community support, and ways to improve as a leader and communicator. For GSMP: Sport for Community 2022, Réka will be mentored by Joanne Wallen, Senior Director, National Campus at the U.S. Tennis Association, and her team in Orlando, FL.