MUSLIM girls in Bolton (UK) are to feature on Match of the Day — learning the art of judo!
Bolton Wanderers Community Trust (BWCT) has been running the sessions at Bolton Muslim Girls School for the last two months, and the success of the scheme has now caught the attention of one of TV’s longestrunning football programmes.
The girls are set to make their debuts on Match of the Day next week after BBC cameras visited the school.
Wanderers stars Fabrice Muamba and David Wheater, as well as British judo champ Sarah Clark, were also there to support the project.
PE teacher Anika Tariq said: “Sport here has come a long, long way.
“But the Premier League has helped in terms of funding.
“Sport for our girls isn’t always seen as a priority outside of school for parents so for them to get this opportunity in school is great.
“They really enjoy judo.
It was a sport they hadn’t tried before but they have really taken to it.”
Sport England research has shown that Muslim women are “significantly less likely” to take up exercise compared to other groups.
BWCT identified the school as being an ideal place to start the project.
But now, the popularity of the sport with the girls means a local judo club is now in the process of being set up.
After a short time on the sidelines, watching the girls in action, the two Whites players took to the floor to try out a few of the moves themselves.
Wanderers’ latest signing David Wheater said: “It’s nice to come and do stuff like this away from football.
“It’s a decent gym here and it was good fun having a go.
“I maybe wish I’d tried some other sports like this when I was younger, but I was pretty single minded about playing football.”
Muamba added: “It has been good to see the girls getting involved in judo.
“It is a great sport and this project is good for the community and it is good for their health as well.”
But while the girls were thrilled to see the two Wanderers’ stars, it was judo champion Sarah Clark who really bowled them over.
Sarah said: “It has been excellent to meet these girls.
“This is something they have not had the opportunity to do in the past and you can see how much they enjoy it.
“They get involved and they are quite physical, which is great to see.”
Bolton Muslim Girls School can be seen on the repeat version of Match of the Day on Sunday morning.
