Chelsea’s upcoming Star found at Osmani Trust

Osmani Trust’s Football in the Community (FITC) project has yet again hit another milestone whilst continuing the positive work in the community.

Football in the Community project over the last seven years has worked tirelessly in developing grassroots football in Tower Hamlets giving hundreds of young people the opportunity to access a high level of coaching and the opportunity to play competitive league football. We have already seen some notable achievements over the years and more recently this season with our teams, FITC not only provides grassroots football but also exit routes for those with potential to rise within the football development system.

Another fantastic success story for the local community is of one of our Under 13 youth team players Muhammad Ridwan who was identified as having great potential during the FITC School based session at Smithy Street School in 2009.  Football in the Community (FITC) project invited Ridwan to play for the Osmani Trust’s Elite Youth team. Over the last two years Ridwan has been a key figure in the now Under 13 team winning the Bangladeshi Football Association (BFA) League and Cup double and progressing well in the East London & Essex League.

Recently we took a group of twelve young players who we thought have the talent to develop through Chelsea FC’s ‘Search for an Asian Star’ at the clubs world famous training ground in Cobham.  Ridwan managed to impress the coaches there and won the Under 12 age group from hundreds of young hopefuls.  Muhammad Ridwan has now been selected for the Chelsea Academy summer trials in which he will train and play alongside some of the country’s best young talent.

Muhammad Ridwan said “I am so happy to have come here (at the Football in the Community project) for last two years and I was determined to do well this year, I still can’t believe it!”

Abdal Ahmed, Football Development Manager at Osmani Trust said, “This is a huge achievement for Ridwan and he fully deserves it, his motivation and determination is second to none.  The FITC project aims to give local young people the best opportunities in developing their football careers and well as developing their personal and social skills”.

Jobrul Islam, Operations Manager at Osmani Trust stated, “Congratulations are in order firstly to Ridwan- the news of his selection comes as no surprise as it was a matter of time due to his considerable talent. He is a very pleasant young man off the pitch, dedicated and well behaved. Much credit is due also to the Football in the Community project (FITC) and all staff at Osmani Trust who have and continue to support, coach and mentor him and others. We want to see more young players like him go to similar trials at Chelsea FC and other clubs and succeed in their future aspirations.”

The FITC project is currently looking for new players for their youth teams, if you are interested please contact Abdal Ahmed on 020 7247 8080.

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