Mo: I’m a star thanks to my PE teacher
OLYMPIC champ Sir Mo Farah has praised the PE teacher who set him on the path to world fame.
Sir Mo came to Britain from war-torn Somalia aged eight, and was desperate to go to school.
Alan Watkinson spotted Mo’s potential and urged him to join a running club.
Sir Mo, 34, told the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai: “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t have won what I won.”
Alan taught Mo at Feltham Community College in West London and they became such friends Alan was best man at the runner’s wedding.
Mo added: “If it wasn’t for him encouraging me, I don’t think I would have ever made it. We need teachers like Alan.”