A top Bradford
boxer has helped pupils learn the joys of reading after he visited their
school to talk about his favourite book.
Tasif Khan who
recently made his boxing comeback spoke to 50 boys at Dixons Allerton Academy
in March as part of the Bradford Literacy Campaign’s ongoing work to provide
strong male role models who read and write for enjoyment.
Tasif from Girlington
helped launch the campaign last year and spoke to pupils about his favourite
book, Mohammed Ali’s autobiography ‘The Greatest: My Own Story.’
Tasif said to the
Telegraph & Argus:
“When I was younger
my favourite books were ones by Roald Dahl, like George's Marvellous
Medicine. As I got older I read Muhammad Ali's autobiography, he was a big
role model to me.
He was the greatest
boxer, but as I read this I found out he was much more than that, that is
what stuck with me, it is not just what he has done in the ring. Reading this
taught me a lot about being strong minded. A lot of boys say they don't like
reading, but it is something that is so important. I've known that when I
have to do things like read contracts."
Imran Hafeez
Bradford Hub manager at National Literacy Trust says:
“When
children see how reading benefits the people they look up to it can have a
really powerful impact. This is why it’s fantastic to have the support of a
local sports star who finds motivation to achieve success through reading as
part of our continuing work to promote strong reading role models in Bradford.”