Olympic success for postgraduate student Murhad Hussain
A master’s student from the University of Central Lancashire* has been chosen as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leader.
Murhad Hussain, who is a part-time MSc Sports Business Management postgraduate, beat off stiff competition from more than 5,200 young adults to land one of only 25 spots.
The 24-year-old, originally from Bethnal Green but who lives and works full-time in Aberdeen, will receive USD 10,000 to create a grassroots sport-based initiative aimed at addressing social issues in his community.
The table tennis enthusiast, who has represented England at under 19 level and competed internationally for Bangladesh, said: “It felt really good when I found out I’d been selected because there were thousands of young people from 169 countries around the world who applied. To be chosen and know I’ve become only the second person ever to be selected from the United Kingdom is wonderful.”
Murhad, who plays table tennis and powerlifts for the University of Central Lancashire in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, wants to repurpose a vacant property on Aberdeen’s main shopping street and turn it into a modern table tennis venue which has access to top quality coaches.
He said: “I was raised in an area of East London which has high rates of child poverty and the thing that helped me was access to sport. I was able to get involved and have opportunities thanks to Greenhouse Sports. It not only provided me with skill development but also instilled valuable life lessons in teamwork, resilience, and leadership.
“I want to bring that to youngsters in Aberdeen as I know, through my work at Enable with eight to 18-years-old, that child poverty rates are rising, not falling as intended, and I want to give them something they can get involved with at a price they can afford.”
Murhad will receive expert guidance and coaching and have access to an extensive sport-for-development network throughout the duration of the project, which runs until 2028.
The Silver Sports Scholarship student, who travels six-hours one-way to play for the Preston-based University sports teams, found out about the opportunity after representing the University and BUCS at the International University Sports Federation World Forum in Croatia last year.
He had to go through a rigorous selection process to be chosen. It included a four-week learning sprint course, which served as an opportunity to engage on topics such as sport for sustainable development, the Olympic Movement and the Olympic values, and that was followed by an interview with senior representatives from the IOC.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The selection of these 25 exceptional young leaders from diverse backgrounds underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation to build a better world through sport. The record number of applicants highlights how young people globally recognise the important role of sport in society.
“Their innovative ideas and dedication to leveraging sport for positive social change inspire us all. We look forward to supporting them as they contribute to the Olympic Movement and make a meaningful impact in their communities. This is what the Olympic Movement stands for: building a better world through sport.”
*University of Central Lancashire is proudly changing to University of Lancashire