On the ball!

SPORTING LIFE (l-r): Hasan Ali, Aklis Miah, Mustaq Ahmed, Habib Ur Rahman and Shafizur Rahman

Forum’s goal to tackle drugs
drugs don’t work — that’s the message a group of inspirational young people are sending out to the youth of Oldham.

Members of Oldham Youth Forum have made it their mission to revolutionise teenage attitudes following drugs raids in Coldhurst, Westwood and Hathershaw.

Chairman Shafizur Rahman (23) said: “People are taking drugs in the street and it doesn’t look good for the community.”

The group has now organised a day-long seven-a-side football tournament and are urging teams to get involved.

Organisers are planning to accommodate more than 200 participants during the fun day of sport on June 19 in a bid to bond the community and pass on a message of hope.

The event will take place at Oldham Academy North’s (the former Grange School) synthetic pitches.

Shafizur added: “I’ve seen it first-hand. We’re young and hope that people will be able to relate to us, tell us their worries and forget their problems.”

A total of 13 people have since been charged as a result of last week’s arrests, as reported in the Chronicle. During the football day forum members also plan to promote Your Voice — their latest project which they have already applied for lottery fund-ing to set up. The media project will see reflective and honest opinions expressed from the youth of Oldham as to where they think the borough should be heading.

The film will then be presented to influential leaders in the town in the hope of securing change and banishing drug use to the history books.

Shafizur said: “This isn’t going to take one day, it could take years, but we are not going to give up on succeeding.

“It will be a positive step and we have to start somewhere.

“Young people should be able to forget their problems and see that there are alternative ways to live.”

To get involved in the tournament call 07845-645-629 or email shafizur.rahman@hotmail.co.uk .