Outta Skool kids secure national glory at Sheffield tournament

Local community group and multi-sports organisation Outta Skool did their best to put Oldham on the map at a tournament in Sheffield.

At the prestigious two-day sporting event, where the best of Britain’s clubs came together, the Horizon LGA Taekwondo club, which is one of the many Outta Skool run, secured brilliant gold medals.

The Oldham club have previously finished in second place at the nationals in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

They were inching closer to first place glory, but covid had other plans.

Then, after losing all the more experienced athletes, the club had to rebuild from scratch.

They did just that, and this victory in Sheffield was the culmination of lots of hard work in the gym.

Outta Skool Coach Rooji Karim said: "Words cannot describe this feeling.

"After many years of trying with experienced fighters, a team of young fresh athletes have won first place at the national championships.

"There is no secret to success.

"Horizon athletes have been training up to three hours per session, six times per week.

"We threw everything at this competition and the results followed.

"Horizon is now recognised as one of the top teams out there.

"No club can be successful without the backing and support of our parents team, though.

"I would argue out parents are the best in the country too.

"The support was unbelievable."

Moinul Islam MBE, the founder of Outta Skool, added: “We’re delighted with the achievement of our club.

"We are officially the best club in the country and what makes me even more proud is that we are in Oldham where we live and work.

"Credit goes to the sheer determination of our Coach Rooji - his passion and commitment for our children is commendable.

"We want to congratulate all our atheletes and parents for their hard work and commitment.

"Our Skool was set up to create opportunities and remove barriers to participation.

"We are making a difference in the lives of these young people.

"We are not always taken seriously as we are the cheapest club in the country with sessions costing between £1-£2 across all our clubs, but the results speak for our club."

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