England Blind Footballer Azeem Amir says he is taking inspiration from the Three Lions tournament in Qatar ahead of next summer’s World Blind Games.
Gareth Southgate’s side have impressed at this World Cup and met a thrilling quarter-final goal against reigning champions France on Saturday after a 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16.
Speaking at the first blind and partially sighted football event in London, held in association with Bloomsbury Football and British Blind Sport, Amir said he believed England could bring it home and make it a festive season.
“You have to have hope [about England’s chances]”, said Amir Sky Sports news.
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Gary Neville reckons England’s World Cup quarter-final against France is a ‘once in a lifetime’ game for Gareth Southgate’s side.
“I think we’re as lucky as anyone. I’m optimistic as a fan and as a player.
“But I think it would be wonderful. Christmas is a time of joy when he brings it home!”
Birmingham hosts the sixth edition of the World Blind Games in August 2023, with the International Blind Sports Federation exhibition coming to Britain for the first time.
Amir, who made his England B1 debut in 2018, added: “Honestly, there’s no better feeling. [than playing tournament football for your country].
“With our World Games coming up in 2023 – it’s something you can only dream of, representing your country and having your family and friends watching you.
“Personally, I’m doing everything I can with my local coaches and my support team to set things up to give myself the best chance not only to be in the team, but to lead us directly – fingers crossed. finish on the podium in the medal places.”
Singh Johal is set to make his EFL debut
Trailblazing Sikh-Punjabi football coach Ashvir Singh Johal will make his debut at The Den this weekend when Wigan travel to Millwall in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.
Singh Johal last week joined Wigan boss Kolo Toure’s backroom team, arriving at the DW Stadium as first-team coach, with former Crawley Town and Arsenal U23s boss Kevin Betsy returning as one of Toure’s back-room staff.
Toure met Singh Johal at Leicester where the Ivorian became Brendan Rodgers’ first team coach. Singh Johal spent ten years at Leicester, initially joining as a volunteer before working his way up to assistant manager of the U18s.
Singh Johal, 27, is a former player, coach and manager of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Leicester (GNG Leicester), whose first team plays in Division 5 of the Non-League System.
Ashvir Singh Johal (second from left) led GNG Leicester to glory in the KFF Championship last summer. His former mentor, Rashid Abba, is now at West Ham (right)
Former Leicester City academy coach Rashid Abba, who coached Singh Johal as a child. Sky Sports News: “I’m delighted to see Ashvir progress – especially as he’s a Leicester boy, having been at GNG Leicester, a decorated and well-known club based in South Asia.
“He is a very talented up-and-coming coach and a great role model. His appointment at Wigan is great news, and gives real hope to coaches from different backgrounds, who are looking for a career in the sport.”
Zidan should play for Bangladesh
Zidan Miah has returned to Welling United ahead of his return to Spain
The head of the Bangladesh organization in the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, said that the country’s economy is expected to grow by 10 percent in the next five years. Sky Sports news he hopes to see Rayo Vallecano youngster Zidan Miah one day represent Bangladesh.
South Londoner Zidan turned down an offer from Dubai’s Al Nasr to join Madrid from Rayo Vallecano last year. The midfielder has started training at Welling United after recovering from a ruptured Achilles, and is expected to return to Spain in the coming weeks.
Zidan, who played youth football for MLS club FC Dallas, received the Sports Personality of the Year award at the British Bangladeshi Fashion and Lifestyle Awards last week.
“I want to thank Zidan from the bottom of my heart,” said Tasneem.
“Young Bangladeshis from abroad and our British-Bangladeshi communities are coming, and I am very grateful to the British Bangladeshi Fashion Council (the organizers of the awards) for recognizing this fine young man, who has already done so much.
High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem spoke to Sky Sports News about Zidan Miah
“We want to show him and his journey with Rayo Vallecano, who are a great team in Spain, and he makes us all very proud. He helps send the message that if I can do it, you can do it.
“The national team of Bangladesh could not go to the World Cup this year, but I hope that one day they will play in Bangladesh and will help us go there.
“He can be a great example for people from our diaspora, we look forward to inviting you all to the High Commission to come and say a few words. We want you to be encouraged.”
British South Asians in Football
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