Latest news with #JavedHussain
News18
4 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
From Delhi Slums To Rugby Premier League, The Journey Of Javed Hussain
Javed Hussain says he isn't playing the RPL for the money or fame, but the experience and exposure. A week into the Rugby Premier League (RPL) season, the Hyderabad Heroes have won all four of their matches and stand on top of the standings with 15 points and at the heart of their success is Javed Hussain, a player whose journey has been anything but ordinary. With four tries and 20 points to his name, Javed is not only the league's best performing Indian but also ranks seventh overall in the points tally. 'I am very happy with my team. We understand and support each other. We trust each other and are united as a team," Javed said. That unity has been key in the big wins including their last victory over the Mumbai Dreamers where Javed was named as 'Player of the Match'. Although he is on top of his game at the moment, Javed recalled his pre-match jitters ahead of his first game at the RPL. 'When I played my first match, I was a little hopeless. I didn't know how I was going to play against such big names. But everything changed after that first game and the first try I scored. When the match ended, my coach selected me as the Hero of the Day and gave me a jersey. I started crying when I got the jersey," he said. Javed hails from a very humble background in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi and has a peculiar story on how he got into a sport like rugby. On how his journey started, he shared, 'We used to live in Juggis (makeshift houses). There was a jungle behind where we used to go to relieve ourselves since we didn't have a bathroom. Slowly an NGO (Earth Foundation) came, cleared the jungle and made a ground." 'The coaches from Delhi Hurricanes rugby club came in collaboration with the NGO and used to train kids there. I was standing there and watching as my friends used to play but I didn't understand the sport and I was scared of the older kids and hence didn't want to play. I started playing because the coaches told me they would give me a 'Tiger' biscuit packet after training and for those biscuits I got greedy and started playing," he explained. Despite his humble beginnings, Javed made it clear that he isn't playing the RPL for the money or fame, but the experience and exposure. He stated, 'When I joined the league, I didn't care about money or anything else. I just wanted to play with the people I used to watch on TV. I wanted to learn from them. It doesn't matter if I play well or not. I just wanted to experience playing with and against them." Javed is surrounded by world-class players in the Hyderabad Heroes camp. Olympic medallists like Joji Nasova and Terio Tamani from Fiji and global stars like his Spanish Captain Manu Moreno share a locker room with him which is the kind of exposure invaluable for a budding rugby player. Javed is enjoying training under one of the biggest names in world rugby DJ Forbes who is also a former captain of the All Blacks Sevens team. About Forbes, Javed expressed, ' I don't have any pressure from my coach and he is the best person that I could train under. He knows my potential and strengths and directs me very well on the field. Even our captain Manu Moreno is very supportive. Whenever I make mistakes, he helps me a lot and he is very insightful." Javed plays every match with his hand taped with 'Mom' 'and Dad' and a heart drawn on it. When asked about this gesture, he replied, 'When I used to play earlier, my family didn't have much money but my dad still used to support me the best he could. Despite everything, whatever I asked for, if they had the facilities, they would give that to me and I am very grateful for them." About the Author Sports Desk First Published: June 21, 2025, 19:47 IST
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
From Delhi slum to standout performances at RPL, Hyderabad Heroes' Javed Hussain has an inspiring story to tell
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], 21 June 21 (ANI): A week into the Rugby Premier League (RPL) season, the Hyderabad Heroes have won all four of their matches and stand on top of the standings with 15 points and at the heart of their success is Javed Hussain, a player whose journey has been anything but ordinary. With four tries and 20 points to his name, Javed is not only the league's best-performing Indian but also ranks seventh overall in the points tally. 'I am very happy with my team. We understand and support each other. We trust each other and are united as a team,' Javed Hussain said as quoted by the RPL press release. That unity has been key in the big wins, including their last victory over the Mumbai Dreamers, where Javed was named as 'Player of the Match'. Although he is on top of his game at the moment, Javed recalled his pre-match jitters ahead of his first game at the GMR RPL. 'When I played my first match, I was a little hopeless. I didn't know how I was going to play against such big names. But everything changed after that first game and the first try I scored. When the match ended, my coach selected me as the Hero of the Day and gave me a jersey. I started crying when I got the jersey,' he shared. Javed hails from a very humble background in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi and has a peculiar story on how he got into a sport like rugby. On how his journey started, he shared, ' We used to live in Juggis (makeshift houses). There was a jungle behind where we used to go to relieve ourselves since we didn't have a bathroom. Slowly, an NGO (Earth Foundation) came, cleared the jungle and made a ground.' 'The coaches from the Delhi Hurricanes rugby club came in collaboration with the NGO and used to train kids there. I was standing there and watching as my friends used to play, but I didn't understand the sport, and I was scared of the older kids and hence didn't want to play. I started playing because the coaches told me they would give me a 'Tiger' biscuit packet after training, and for those biscuits I got greedy and started playing,' he explained. Despite his humble beginnings, Javed made it clear that he isn't playing the GMR RPL for the money or fame, but for the experience and exposure. He stated, 'When I joined the league, I didn't care about money or anything else. I just wanted to play with the people I used to watch on TV. I wanted to learn from them. It doesn't matter if I play well or not. I just wanted to experience playing with and against them.' Javed is surrounded by world-class players in the Hyderabad Heroes camp. Olympic medallists like Joji Nasova and Terio Tamani from Fiji and global stars like his Spanish Captain Manu Moreno share a locker room with him which is the kind of exposure invaluable for a budding rugby player. Javed is enjoying training under one of the biggest names in world rugby, DJ Forbes, who is also a former captain of the All Blacks Sevens team. About Forbes, Javed expressed, ' I don't have any pressure from my coach, and he is the best person that I could train under. He knows my potential and strengths and directs me very well on the field. Even our captain, Manu Moreno, is very supportive. Whenever I make mistakes, he helps me a lot and he is very insightful.' Javed plays every match with his hand taped with 'Mom' and Dad' and a heart drawn on it. When asked about this gesture, he replied, 'When I used to play earlier, my family didn't have much money, but my dad still used to support me the best he could. Despite everything, whatever I asked for, if they had the facilities, they would give that to me, and I am very grateful for them.' (ANI)
Business Recorder
10-06-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Urban centres: SCF concerned about environmental issues
HYDERABAD: The Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) has raised serious concerns over the escalating environmental crisis in Sindh's urban centres, saying big cities like Karachi and Hyderabad are facing an impending ecological breakdown that demands immediate action. Single-use plastics are clogging our drains, polluting waterways, and posing serious health risks, said Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF. By tackling plastic pollution, strengthening environmental laws, and engaging communities, we can restore urban ecosystems and safeguard public health for future generations. He said in Karachi, the megacity's tree cover has fallen to below 3%, one of the lowest among global megacities, exacerbating the urban heat-island effect. This has led to soaring temperatures, making the already critical environmental situation in the city even worse. The lack of public waste bins, combined with clogged drainage systems, significantly increases the risk of urban flooding and the spread of waterborne diseases. There is absence of municipal bylaws on waste segregation, water protection, and sustainable construction practices, which only deepens the environmental crisis. Furthermore, environmental education is largely absent from school curricula, preventing the younger generation from developing a sense of ecological responsibility. SCF has proposed a comprehensive four-point strategy to address the crisis: enforce zoning laws and require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for all new urban developments to minimise environmental harm; mandate the inclusion of green roofs on public buildings to reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and support biodiversity; implement strict regulations to control plastic use, improve waste disposal systems, and monitor air and water quality through transparent mechanisms with penalties for violations; and launch community-driven 'Clean and Green' initiatives, such as neighbourhood clean-ups, rooftop gardening, and door-to-door recycling, to foster environmental responsibility and public engagement. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
BBC News
06-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
What can I expect at Luton's two Eid festivals?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend two community Eid al-Adha festival and prayer events in Luton. The special celebrations for Muslims will take place at Stockwood Park on Friday and Saturday and Wardown Park from Friday to Sunday. Due to the growth in their popularity, Luton Borough Council said it was putting traffic control measures in place. Here is a guide to the colourful, family-friendly events. What are the timings? There are two events: the Inspire Eid event at Stockwood Park takes place from 13:00-21:00 BST on Friday and Saturday. The 1Eid event at Wardown Park will start with Eid prayers for men and women at the cricket pitch at 10:00 on will then continue on Friday from 12:00-21:30 with fireworks on Popes Meadow. On Saturday and Sunday events start at 13:00 and continues until 21:30. Which roads are impacted? Javed Hussain, a Labour councillor and the deputy leader of Luton Borough Council, said: "Whilst it's great that communities are coming together to celebrate on such a special occasion, the increasing popularity of these events are putting increasing strain on local infrastructure and the road network."We understand the frustrations of residents which is why we are stepping in to put in place measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure safety for those living near to the events and those attending. "For those not attending we strongly advise they avoid the areas of the two festivals during the weekend."For Stockwood Park there will be no waiting or loading restrictions in place during parts of the day and evenings for Friday and Saturday and signed diversions will be in place. The roads impacted are: Farley Hill RoadLondon RoadCutenhoe RoadWhipperley WayNewlands RoadThere will also be a closure in place on Whitehill Avenue, except for residents. For Wardown Park, the same applies, from Friday to Sunday with restrictions on the follow roads: Old Bedford RoadNew Bedford RoadSections of connecting roads - Cromwell Hill, Stockingstone Road and Montrose Avenue What can you expect at the event? Inspire FM, which is behind the Stockwood Park event, said there will be a free outdoor cinema running throughout the day inside the Discovery Centre, offering family friendly films. As tens of thousands attended last year's event, it was expecting the same number this year. There will also be rides, foods from around the world, a "bustling bazaar, and fun games and activities for the whole family". The organisation has partnered with Luton Foodbank, to provide free ride tokens to families who need them, it added. For the event at Wardown Park there will be funfair rides, an urban beach, donkey rides, circus performers with fire juggles, a bazaar and fireworks. Where should you park? At the Stockwood Park event parking is free at the top of the park near Farley Farm Road. The usual entrance to Stockwood Park will be exit only, and there will be no access via London Road, organisers said. At Wardown Park, pre-booked payable VIP parking is available at Popes Meadow. Organisers said there was "absolutely no parking on roads or pavements". The council said anyone attending "should consider using public transport or car share". "Event-goers must park considerately and safely, or they will receive a fine or have their car removed," it added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
SCF launches District Disaster Response Network
HYDERABAD: In a proactive move to strengthen community resilience against climate-related emergencies, the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), with support from Pathfinder International, successfully trained 102 young people, aged 18 to 29, from 10 villages across Thatta, including coastal areas, in first aid and emergency response skills. The initiative was conducted under SCF's ongoing SURMI Project, which focuses on climate resilience and youth empowerment. Over the course of four three-day workshops, participants received hands-on training in CPR, bleeding control, burn management, electric shock response, and fire safety, alongside in-depth sessions on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation, and interpreting early warning systems. 'Communities are always the first responders during disasters,' emphasized Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF, during the closing ceremony. 'Training youth equips villages with immediate support mechanisms while creating a bridge with institutions like the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to enhance coordinated response and reduce risk.' Retired Commander Naeem Yousuf, the lead trainer, conducted rigorous drills and simulations, preparing the youth to respond effectively during climate-induced crises such as floods, cyclones, and heat waves now more frequent and intense in Thatta due to climate change. Senior district officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Ghulam Dastgeer, Assistant Commissioner Shakir Faheem, and Dr. Rahena from the District Health Department praised the initiative. They emphasized the growing urgency for community-based disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions like Thatta. Humera Ali, SCF's Project Manager, and MB Khaskheli, Cluster Coordinator from Pathfinder International, appreciated the participants' commitment and energy. They highlighted the transformative potential of engaging youth in localized climate action and emergency response. The culmination of the fourth training batch marked a significant milestone: the formation of the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response. The network consists of 29 trained young leaders—both male and female—who will now take on formal roles as community-based first responders, emergency educators, and local coordinators for DRR activities across Thatta. This youth-led network is designed to engage young people in awareness, preparedness, and response actions for disasters and climate emergencies, while fostering stronger linkages between local communities and government disaster management systems. It represents a model for climate-adaptive, community-driven resilience—one that places youth at the forefront of building a safer, more prepared Thatta. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
