Aasha Brick Lane Community Fun Day
Aasha a project successfully marked the end of the Summer Programme activities through the delivery of the Annual Community Fun Day and football tournament in the Chicksand Estate. This year with the help of warm British weather and early publicity, the project managed to attract more than 300 local youths and residents in taking part. As a first in over three decades, some of the old local residents who lay down the foundations of football in the area more than 30 years ago came and partook in the event.
As the younger participants were enjoying the inflatables activities, the more senior boys were eagerly awaiting for the most proudest 5 A-side football tournament in the whole of tower hamlets. The root of this competition goes back to the early 80’s where most of today’s participants were not even born. It was good feelings for the older generation to see young people in this generation continue their legacy. This year the organisers limited the places for teams to 10 teams. The quality of those teams taking part showed exactly why they had to be in the tournament as they all tried to out-class each other to an epic final where “HAUK” narrowly earned a victory with “Total Shambles” coming as runners up.
Goyas Miah, one of the ex-resident who helped lay the foundation for football in the area expressed his thoughts on the event,
“Returning to the ‘Gutt’ after so many years reminded me of the unique atmosphere this venue generates. The cauldron of energy created by this footballing den is second to none, intimidating yet passionate. Young people being competitive yet demonstrating sportsmanship. Thrown in with an activity area, BBQ, great weather and the unique surroundings of Brick Lane the event had it all. Well done to Aasha and Osmani Trust for bringing the whole borough together for an enjoyable day and taking me down memory lane once again.”
