In the name of Tashan...
CALL FOR STADIUM TO BE RENAMED IN HONOUR OF GIFTED RUNNER STABBED AT TUBE STATION
THE Tashan Daniel Campaign is calling for the Hillingdon Athletic Stadium to be renamed to the Tashan Daniel Stadium.
The campaign group made up of family, friends and the local community has created a petition on change.org and addressed it to Raymond Puddifoot, Head of Hillingdon Borough Council.
Tashan Daniel, 20, was attacked and killed at Hillingdon Underground station while on his way to watch Arsenal on September 24, 2019.
Tashan regularly trained at Hillingdon Athletic Stadium, and he was being tipped to run at the Olympics.
On change.org the campaign calls for the stadium to be renamed to help “inspire the young in the borough” and “demonstrate to our young people that the authorities care.”
The page describes Tashan as a “loving son and brother, an amazing friend, cousin, nephew, and role-model.”
Tashan’s pursuit to become an elite athlete involved a five-day training schedule, three days of which were high-intensity track workouts with two days of easy active recovery sessions.
He would also visit a sports therapy clinic two times a week to get massage therapy to keep his body at its optimal condition.
Tashan’s coach, Josh, said: “Tashan was what is generally known in track and field as a hybrid. He was blessed by nature with excellent athletic qualities.
“In my humble opinion, Tashan Daniel was in the 90th percentile of talent range.
“With good training, nurturing and consistency, the world was his oyster.
“His mental approach towards both competition and training was that of a future world champion. His attitude towards hard work was nothing less than tenacious.”
At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday January 23, Alex Lanning,
22, of Cowdray Road, Uxbridge denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and having a knife.
His co-defendant, Jonathan Camille, 19, of Fulham Road, Kensington pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter.
The pair, who appeared in the dock before Judge Mark Lucraft QC, were remanded into custody ahead of their trial on April 1 – Lanning charged with murder and Camille with murder and manslaughter.
■ To support the appeal to rename Hillingdon Athletic stadium visit the change.org page.