The winners of the 7th annual Ealing Sports Awards were revealed this week.
The awards celebrate the successes and efforts of sports people, clubs, coaches and volunteers from across the borough.
The Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Yvonne Johnson presented awards at the event which took place at William Perkin High School, Greenford. British Champion and Olympic high jumper, Dalton Grant was the special guest.
There were 2 incredible recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Sport award. Onkar Singh MBE has taught almost 10,000 students karate at Combat Karate Club in Southall since 1977. His students say that he is always there to listen and ready to support with advice.
Outstanding Contribution to Sport
Paul Bray, who was also presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Sport award, has been involved in handball for more than 50 years. Paul has played at the elite level as a Great Britain player, a Great Britain coach and chairman of British Handball. On a local level, he is a founding member of the West London Eagles junior section. On a Saturday Paul can be found training the West London Eagles under-10s followed by the under-14s and under-16s. He continues to support the wider handball community through coaching the Ealing London Youth Games Handball team, volunteering to support school events and delivering coaching activities in schools.
Pentathlon star
Leila Newth’s passion and talent for athletics saw her presented with the Junior Sports Person of the Year award. Leila competes for Ealing Southall and Middlesex Athletics Club and has collected many medals and titles for hurdles, high jump, long jump and pentathlon. But she has excelled in triple jump, winning the British Indoor championships. Leila said: “Athletics is a huge passion of mine, made even better because of my supportive club. Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC have a brilliant team of coaches who help me to be the best athlete I can be.”
The best ever results for the borough at this year’s London Youth Games were also celebrated on the night. The borough’s sporting elite won trophies for handball, cricket and volleyball and came overall 6th place at the games.
Ealing Council’s cabinet member for Thriving Communities, Councillor Blerina Hashani said: “Congratulations to our winners and everyone shortlisted. It’s wonderful to see the passion, talent and dedication of the sports people, volunteers and coaches in our borough. We are lucky to have such a thriving network of sports clubs and facilities in the borough and I especially want to thank those volunteers who put their heart and soul into giving people these opportunities.”
Ealing Sports Awards 2024 -The winners in full:
Coach of the Year – Md Tanvir Ahamed, London Tigers
Inclusive and Active – Selina Eshun, Contact Ealing
Adult Sports Person – Patris Mughalzai, Boxing
Adult Volunteer – Cameron Baillie, Featherstone School Sports Partnership
Junior Volunteer: Rowan Simpson, Rugby and Tasharn Dawkins, Basketball
Junior Sports Person – Leila Newth, Athletics
Sports Club of the Year – Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club
Junior Club of the Year – Ealing Southall & Middlesex Athletics Club
Outstanding Contribution to Sport Onkar Singh MBE, Combat Karate Club and Paul Bray, West London Eagles Handball Club.
