Teen wonder wins national contest

INSPIRATIONAL . . . Waqar Chowdhary

INSPIRATIONAL Oldham teenager Waqar Chowdhary has won a national competition that will boost his future career in politics.

The 18-year-old, who is a member of the UK Youth Parliament for Oldham and a member of Oldham Youth Council, has won the Ten Teenagers contest.

It was set up by Ing Media to challenge the negative way young people are portrayed in the media. Ing Media will now provide Waqar with free PR and communications support for six months to help to further his UK youth politics ambitions.

Waqar received particular praise from the judges for his commitment to helping local young people while studying at Oldham Sixth-Form College and running his own business.

“He is a member of the transport group at Oldham Youth Council, writing positive youth-related stories for his own local media. He was also the driving force behind the Gainsborough Avenue youth group which attracts more than 30 youngsters, aged six to 15, each week.

Waqar is also behind a pioneering campaign to reduce bus fares for Oldham students.

The Ten Teenagers programme was launched by Ing Media in January to promote the reality and diversity of teenage lives and encourage the positive development of other young people.

Leanne Tritton, managing director of Ing Media, said: “Waqar Chowdhary is a fantastic example of a focused, bright teenager who — with the right support — can help challenge the negative stereotyping of youngsters in the media.

“To be campaigning for youth causes so passionately and effectively is no mean feat, but to be doing it at the age of 18 while studying full-time must require a huge amount of commitment and political acumen.”

Waqar said: “Words cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity.

“Ten Teenagers is a brilliant way to change public perception of young people, not just in the media but within local communities.

“It is my mission to change the way people think about young people. Every day is a mountain to be climbed and everyday I am learning new things and building on all of this.”