Wasem – Sport winner

‘This boxing club is a brotherhood’

WASEM Said was just 15 when the sudden death of his dad left him reeling.

“I lost my role model,” said Wasem, now 29, from Butetown in Cardiff. “I didn’t know how to cope.”

After falling in with gangs, witnessing crime, drugs and violence, a friend persuaded Wasem to try mixed martial arts, which includes boxing. The sport helped him to turn his life around – something he’s now doing for many other young people at the culturally-inclusive Tiger Bay Amateur Boxing Club.

In just two years Wasem has recruited more than 200 club members, fighting hard to tackle antisocial behaviour, racism, Islamophobia and poor mental health along the way. He now has a National Lottery Award for his efforts.

“Boxing saved me,” says Wasem. “I felt responsible for the first time. My mum was proud I was earning legitimate money and had a positive energy around me.”

Wasem has now been helping others to train at the South Wales Islamic Centre; during lockdown they’ve also been delivering 160 food parcels a week to vulnerable local families.

He adds: “This is much more than a club – we’re a brotherhood. I’m so grateful to National Lottery players for giving us this start.”