Golfer Sahra Hassan awarded by Muslim Women's Sport Foundation

Sahra Hassan, from Newport, south Wales, hopes to crack America's LPGA tour. 

A professional golfer from Wales has been recognised for her role as a successful Muslim woman in sport.

Sahra Hassan, 24, has been named UK sportswoman of the year by the Muslim Women's Sport Foundation at Wembley Stadium.

The night honoured female role models from the Muslim community who have made sport more accessible.

Hassan, from Newport, south Wales, said: "I didn't expect to win, I hadn't even prepared a speech."

Hassan was presented with her award by FA chairman David Bernstein at the ceremony on Wednesday.

She said: "I thanked the Muslim Sport Foundation for giving me the award and to everyone who voted for me."

Hassan turned pro three years' ago and in her first year on the European Ladies Tour.

"I used to play tennis and then at 13 I took a break and started playing golf because my dad played - and I've never looked back.

"I played amateur golf for six years at a high level and I was good enough to try pro so I took a gamble," she added.

Break America

So far this year Hassan has been to China, Toronto and travelled across Europe. Next week she will jet off to Turkey before another five-week stint in Europe.

"In the next year I want to try and win one or at least come top five," she said.

And she is certainly putting in the training. Hassan plays three times a week; practices every day and works out at a Cardiff gym every day with her trainer.

She is currently ranked 30th in the world and hopes to break America.

"I'll see how I go in Europe but I want to base myself in America and join the LPGA tour," she said.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17937224

Welsh Muslim Golfer Realizes Dreams

CAIRO – Breaking stereotyping and cultural barriers, a Welsh Muslim young woman has been honored as the Sportswoman of the Year after achieving new records in golf in Wales, Great Britain and Europe.

“I got into sport at a really early age,” Sahra Hassan, a professional golf player, told Wales Online on Saturday, June 9.

“I have represented Wales and Great Britain.”

Sports in ISLAM (Special Pages)

Sahra’s love for sports started when she was only two-years old.

Going with her sisters to watch her father’s squash games, it wasn’t long before she was picking up the racket herself and hitting balls, amazing his friends with her ability at such a young age.

“Ever since I can remember I was either hitting squash balls, cricket balls, tennis balls or golf balls,” admits the 24-year-old from Newport.

“So I always knew I was going to do sport.”

In her early childhood, tennis was the dominant sport.

But when she joined her dad on the golf course she found a natural ability for that game too and by her late teens she had to choose between the two sports.

“I started playing tennis when I was four years old and won a number of Welsh titles by the age of 13,” Sahra said.

“It was then that I started taking an interest in golf as my dad played – and I never looked back. I was playing county golf by the age of 14, then international golf at 15.”

As a teenager, it was the call of the fairway and the golfing green that won through in the end.

“It got to the point where I had to choose between the two sports and I plumped for golf in the end,” she added.

“I played amateur golf for six years at a high level and I was good enough to try pro, so I took a gamble.”

Playing in the Ladies European tour and Asian tours, she has also represented Wales and GB in various championships.

Sahra came second in the European Nation’s cup and first in the Welsh championship in 2005 before turning professional in 2009.

“I’ll see how I go in Europe but I want to base myself in America and join the LPGA tour,” she said.

Muslim Appreciation

Choosing a sports career, not always the first choice of young Muslim women, Sahra was backed by the pioneering Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation (MWSF) which has named her Sportswoman of the Year.

“I didn’t expect to win, I hadn’t even prepared a speech!” Sahra said.

The charity believes that faith and sport for both genders are entirely compatible and that the culture of sport is an essential part of Islamic history.

“It was really special to me because of my dad’s heritage and his family, as they were originally opposed to me going in to sport.

“I also know it will encourage other Muslim girls to follow in my footsteps and think about going into sport.”

Getting “loads of support” from her family, Sahra’s dreams did not stop at European achievements.

“I know a few of my Asian friends who wanted to go into sport but their parents discouraged them and they ended up being doctors or pharmacists.

“I want to prove it to young Muslim, Asian girls and Welsh girls that you can still keep your culture and your principles, religious beliefs and participate in sport and make sport as your career.

“I want to be the best lady golfer in the world.

“And I’d love to see more Asian and ethnic children to take interest in sport, particularly golf. That would be my dream.”

Source: http://www.onislam.net/english/news/europe/457500-welsh-muslim-golfer-realizes-dreams.html

Sahra Hassan - Golfer

What is your family background?

I was born in Newport Gwent, raised in Newport until I was 14 then moved to Bridgend where i currently live. I have 2 sisters Ayesha Hassan and Myriam Hassan.

What were your dreams and aspirations as you were growing up?

To be the best lady golfer in the world, not just Europe or Great Britain, but the world.

What is your educational background?

Attended Glasllwch Primary School from age 4 to 11, then attended Bassaleg Comprehensive School for 2 years, then moved to Bridgend and finished off my studies at Bryntirion Comprehensive School. I have 9 GCSE's and 1 AS Level in English.

What is your current job?
Professional golfer, play on the Ladies European Tour and Ladies Asian Tour. I have always loved sport as my dad played cricket and squash, i got into sport at a really early age. I started playing tennis at 4 years old and won a number of Welsh titles by the age of 13, Ithen started taking an interest in golf as my dad played. I was playing county golf by the age of 14 then international golf at 15. I have represented Wales and Great Britain.

What barriers have you faced, either on a personal or professional level?

My Parents wanted me to get a proper profession like a doctor, accountant or barrister, but I have always loved sport and admired people like Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and the Williams sisters. My Dads family especially wanted me to get a proper profession like most Asian families, they didn't agree with having golf as a profession.

What achievements are you most proud of?

Came 2nd in European Nations cup, won the Welsh Championship, Represented Wales and Great Britain a number of times and represented Wales in the World Cup 2006 and 2008.

What is your success due to?

Hard work and support from my family.

What role has Islam, if any, played in your life?

To be kind to others and be a nice human being.

Who was your role model and what impact or influence have they had on your life?

My Father, and he still is.

Do you have any hobbies or interests?

Still love playing tennis for fun and fitness, all sports, love going to the gym shopping, RnB/ hip hop music, movies bollywood and hollywood, spending time with friends and family.

What further aspiration do you have?

Not to just be the best in this country but to be the best in the world and i'd love to see more asian and ethnic children to take interest in sport particularly golf.

What words of wisdom or advice would you give to Muslim women in Britain today?
Just follow your dreams and try to be a good human being and let Allah be the judge not other people.
Source: http://www.bigsister.org.uk/roleModelDetail.php?rolemodel=52