TALENTED FOOTBALLER GETS CLOSER TO PLAYING FOR ENGLAND

Tue 15th November 2016

The Realising Dreams Foundation is supporting talented young footballer, Azeem Amir (17 years old) from Rochdale helping him to realise his dreams of playing for his country.

Since birth, Azeem has been blind with an eye condition that means he has no sight in his right eye and just very slight light perception in his left. But he has never let his disability overshadow his ability.This inspiring young man has very quickly made a name for himself in blind football with England team scouts keen to watch his progress.

Over the next year, the foundation’s award of £2,070 will help Azeem cover travel costs to training sessions at his local Manchester Blind FC, Merseyside Blind FC as well as monthly trips to regional training sessions in Hereford at the Royal National College for the Blind.

Realising Dreams Chairman, Ron Burges explained:”Despite his talent, contract with Merseyside Blind FC and interest from national talent scouts, Azeem has still struggled to find additional financial support. That is one of the reasons why we set up our foundation – to help those talented young people who have failed to find funding elsewhere. We have no doubt that there is an exciting future ahead for Azeem in blind football and we are delighted to help him on his journey.”

Azeem has the talent and the drive to secure his place on the England Blind football team, but his dreams don’t stop there. He has his sights firmly on representing his country at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.

He combines his love of football with his desire to raise awareness of disabled sports. Earlier this year he was awarded the Greater Manchester Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year as well as a Special Recognition award from the F.A.

Giving back isn’t only about being an ambassador for him. Azeem recently raised £4,500 for the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital by completing a Tough Mudder Challenge. In doing so he also took the World Record for being the youngest blind person to successfully complete a Tough Mudder.

Azeem said:’’ I love football and take every opportunity to play, improve and share my love for the sport with other young people.

“I am very grateful for this amazing support from The Realising Dreams Foundation. I believe that by sticking to my training programme and always giving it 100% effort, that 2017 will be a very special year!”

ENDS

Fancy foot moves from our up and coming blind footballer Azeem Amir.

Talented blind footballer Azeem Amir in action of the pitch

Azeem Amir (17 years old) from Rochdale applied for funding to cover travel costs to training sessions so he can pursue his dream of playing bind football for England