Eissa enjoys night with the stars

THE night may not have ended in silverware but Abdallah Eissa believes being nominated for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award will take him to even greater heights in 2020.

After claiming the British Junior Open Under-13 title, Eissa was chosen as one of ten nominees for the annual One-to-Watch Award, selected from around 1,000 rising British stars supported by SportsAid across more than 60 different sports in 2019.

The 13-year-old from Warwick attended the ceremony at Sea Containers House in central London alongside SportsAid alumni such as Christine Ohuruogu, Leon Taylor and

Lutalo Muhammad, but just missed out on the award as paraswimming sensation Ellie Challis was named the winner.

Eissa, pictured, admitted the whole evening had been one to savour.

He said: “It means a lot to have been nominated because I know all about the other athletes’ achievements and they’re all amazing.

“SportsAid has helped me gain some amazing experiences and I was never expecting to be recognised like this.

“I had a really good year and that’s largely down to the support network I have around me. My dad got me into the sport and to be able to share this moment with him has been great.

He added: “I’m playing in the US Open next month, which is a huge tournament on the calendar, and then next year I’ll be going to retain my title at the British Open but at U15 level.

“It will be harder but I’m excited. In five years’ time I’d like to be competing at world senior level competing against the very best.