Boxing hero starts training for youngsters

A FORMER world champion boxer is getting youngsters in the ring as a way of cutting anti-social behaviour.

Jawaid Khaliq, originally from The Meadows, has started holding Friday night sessions for around 50 youngsters.

The sessions are run at the Wild Cat Arena, in Bakersfield.

Jawaid, 38, who was welterweight Commonwealth Champion between 1999 and 2001, and World Champion between 2001 and 2005, said: "After I retired, many youngsters asked if I could start training.

"I saw kids hanging around on the streets and wanted to give them the focus and discipline that I had received from my training.

"I think kids today do not do enough sporting activity. Getting involved in sports not only improves fitness but helps focus energy in a positive way."

The project is being held up as a shining example ahead of a Government drive to get teenagers off the streets.

It is funded by the Positive Activities for Young People programme, which helps youngsters in danger of becoming socially excluded

The Government project, called Open Weekend, is being held across the country on July 10 and 11.

It is trying to find more positive activities for youngsters on Friday and Saturday nights, the time youngsters and communities say they need them the most.

More than £5m Government cash has been made available in Nottingham up to 2011 to start the scheme.

Some of the youngsters who attend the boxing sessions said it helped them.

Reece Jeffery, 13, who attends the group said: "When you get angry, boxing helps calm you down. It's a good activity to do after school.

"Being able to box gets you fit and strong. If I wasn't doing this I would be playing out on the street."

Saqib Mahmood, 15, said: "Boxing keeps me off the street, and increases my confidence and my fitness."

Attiq Sadique, 13, added: "Coming to boxing sessions has given me confidence in other parts of my life. Before coming here I would just be playing out on the streets on a Friday night."

The youngsters have five big punching bags, 20 pairs of gloves and 20 skipping ropes funded through the Positive Activities scheme.

Councillor David Mellen, the city council's portfolio holder for children's services, said: "Nottingham City Council is committed to giving young people a say over local services in order to increase participation in positive activities.

"This is a fantastic example of how we have responded to those needs, which is helping young people stay active and improve their confidence."

For more information on the Open Weekend activities visit www.direct.gov.uk/getinvolved or call 0800 458 4114.

marcus.boocock@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk