Kebba Sanneh works as an Athletics Trust Scotland-funded Local Community Impact Leader, leading free weekly athletics sessions for around 50-60 local children and young people in the heart of the community at the Emirates Arena.
As well giving children and young people the opportunity to try athletics for the first time, the sessions aim to increase wellbeing, boost confidence, create social cohesion and offer positive activities for them to channel their energy into. Delivered in partnership with Scottish Athletics and Scottish Sport Futures, they play an important part in Athletics Trust Scotland’s mission to transform lives through the power of athletics and running.
Here, Kebba tells us about the impact sport has had on his own life and why he thinks opportunities like these are needed for communities like his own.
“Sport has shaped my own life – it’s made me more confident, I’ve made friends with lots of people I never would have met otherwise, it makes me happy. It’s had such a positive impact on my day to day life that I was excited to help other young people get the same enjoyment out of it.”
“The sessions are so important for children and young people round here. They get them out of the house doing something active, something sociable, something outdoors in the fresh air. Nobody ever gets their phones out – they’re so engaged for the full two hours that they don’t even think to look at them.
I’ve noticed a big change in lots of the young people since they started coming along to sessions. Some of them who were quieter are more willing to speak up now. Others who were causing trouble and getting into fights have calmed down. We’ve created a culture of taking part, so now everyone just spends the full two hours having fun throwing themselves into activities without getting bored or distracted.”
“It’s important that someone like me leads the sessions – I’ve grown up in the area, I’ve gone to the same school, and I understand the challenges lots of the children and young people around here face. When they see me, they see someone who is just like them. They can relate to me, which means that roles like these are something that they can realistically aspire to.”
Photo credit: Alex Thomson
