Volunteer is honoured for passing on his sports passion
A SPORTS volunteer who has inspired more than 200 people to exercise has been recognised as one of the county’s brightest at the Lancashire Sports Awards.
Matloob Yaqub, from Accrington, was highly commended in the ‘Adult Volunteer of the Year’ category of the county-wide awards, which celebrate sporting achievement and recognise individuals’ dedication and contribution to sport and community activity.
The 35-year-old helps out at community charity the Bahja Initiative for 15 hours every week and has encouraged more than 200 people to participate in a number of sports.
Over the last three years Matloob, who teaches maths at Taulheedul High School in Blackburn, has made a big impact on Hyndburn’s South Asian community, as well as establishing a large following for sports including archery, wrestling and swimming.
He qualified for the Lancashire event after winning at the Hyndburn Community Sports Awards in September.
Matloob was one of 20 volunteers, facilitators and clubs recognised on the night across nine categories by Lancashire Sport Partnership, an organisation which works to improve health and wellbeing across the county by encouraging active lifestyles.
The event attracted more than 400 guests, including local authority partners and the who’s who of the county’s sporting sector.
Adrian Leather, chief executive of Lancashire Sport Partnership, said: “The awards pay tribute to people, young and old, who show dedication to perform at the highest level or those who work tirelessly to support individuals or clubs week in, week out, for the love of sport.
“As an organisation that exists to encourage people to participate, or volunteer in sport, we’re delighted to have crowned this year’s winners, without whom we wouldn’t have the infrastructure to support and help people of all ages get involved in something which is great for the mind and body.
“The recent Olympics and Paralympics did a great job to raise the profile of sport. We hope that they, and these awards, will encourage people to give sport a go, whether it be on the pitch, court or sidelines, we can all work together to make Lancashire a happier and healthier place.”