In an exhilarating awards ceremony hosted by the Canary Wharf Group on 14 January 2010; the Osmani Trust came away with the ultimate prize; the Group of the Year Award for 2009. The award was for the achievements of two of the Trusts’ health and sports projects, Healthy Futures and Football in the Community. The projects beat off strong competition from other outstanding health and sports related projects and organisations within the borough. In attendance as guest and presenter of the awards was West Ham and England striker Carlton Cole
Healthy Futures Project and the Football in the Community Project engage over 600 young people and adults per week on sporting activities and health workshops. Football, taekwondo, boxing, girls’ only sports, and badminton are just some of the provisions they deliver on a weekly basis, giving opportunities for wide range of people from the community to become healthier and keep fit.
Jobrul Islam, Operations Manager of Osmani Trust, says that “winning this award, for Osmani Trust, is a huge achievement. 2009 witnessed a great sporting year for Osmani Trust, especially with the success of the Community Cup, launch of the Annual Badminton Tournament, the Girls Sports Day, the U14’s football team reaching the Essex League Cup Final, launch of the Osmani Badminton Academy, amongst many other achievements. The organisation is rightly being recognised as one of the pioneering youth and community organisations in Tower Hamlets and let’s hope we win more awards in 2010.”
Marajul Islam, one of the young people that attended the awards ceremony, says that ‘meeting Carlton Cole, dressing up smartly, and getting opportunities like this is the best thing about being part of the Osmani Trust family. They always give you opportunities to be positive and learn and have fun.’
Osmani Trust is a youth and community organisation currently working in Newham and Tower Hamlets. The Trust runs various community and health related projects to cater for the needs of the community, and for all ages.