TOTTENHAM FOOTBALLERS MAKE SOMALI NATIONAL TEAM

Hakem, the captain of Alhijra said,

“I think I am in a dream which I do not want to wake up from. I never thought this day will come, when our sports co-ordinator told me that I will be going to Rwanda to play for Somalia, I thought it was some kind of joke. Its sinking in now and when I told my friends at work they were all pleased for me.”

The talented footballers have been funded by the Bridge New Deal for Communities (NDC) which has been using sport as a way to reach young people with some success. One of the groups that they have been doing this with is local Somali association Alhijra.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Team at Government Office for London co-ordinates policy and programmes for neighbourhood renewal across London. Government Office for London provides policy advice and support for performance management for the 10 New Deal for Communities partnerships and five Neighbourhood Management pathfinders in London.

The Bridge NDC is a £50m regeneration programme investing in the future of the Seven Sisters area of Tottenham. It began in 2001 and runs until 2011. The programme is funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as part of a national £2bn programme of 39 NDCs.


Hakem scored the first goal when Somalia beat Djibouti 2 – 1 in their first game.

Symon Sentain director of the Bridge NDC commented:

“This is a great result for the players and an achievement for Alhijra. The Bridge NDC has always been pleased to be able to support our local Somali community and sport has proved to be a valuable method of outreach, building relationships, developing self-esteem and creating life chances. I cannot congratulate these young men enough, but I do have to point out that The Bridge NDC’s own team beat Alhijra 4-1 this season!”

For more information on Haringey NDC contact Steve Speed 020 7217 3058