More than 350 people were at the Scottish Black, Minority and Ethnic (BME) achievement 2007 awards ceremony at Celtic Park on May 18.

It is a prestigious event to recognise individuals and organisations for their dedication and hard work in supporting and developing their communities.

Active Life Club (ALC) which meets at Holyrood Sports Centre and Daisy Street Centre in Govanhall, has been a refreshing oasis for minority ethnic young people since 1999 and has an average of 80 – 100 regular attenders aged from 12 to 16. The Club was nominated in two categories; Grass Roots and Sports and Leisure and won the latter. Thanks to the commitment and innovative approaches ALC has used, it has engaged young people through various sports and personal development programs.

Raza Sadiq, Club Chairperson, said ‘Getting such a high profile award is recognition of many years of hard work.  All the credit goes to the committee members, young people, leadership and funders. We are successful due to the active participation of young people on the management committee and in regular activities.’

The past year has been the busiest yet for the club.

As well as regular programmes at Holyrood Sports Centre, ALC has successfully worked in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to provide other sports, physical activity and social development programmes.

‘Young people are at the centre of ALC policies,’ said Raza. ‘Five young members are developing their skills and decision-making capabilities through capacity building training. Those involved are achieving their potential and influencing the policies which affect all the other young people.’ 

Badminton, Football, Basketball and Cricket are among the sports on offer through ALC. Outdoor pursuits and residential programmes enhance team work skills. These skills are then used in the local area to promote integration.

Now ALC is developing its first business plan which is expected to be available this summer.

To contact the club email: activelifeclub@hotmail.com or visit www.activelife.ik.com or call 07789481414.

Said a spokesperson from SEMPER Scotland, the organisation which supports ethnic minority police staff, said, ‘The Scottish police service would like to salute all the volunteers, team leaders and members who have worked so hard to make ALC the successful community club it is today. We find the group very exciting to work with and are always delighted to meet up with them to generate ideas; consult on initiatives and pilot projects. We always come away with a heightened level of pleasure and triumph.’