Double Success for Local Disabled Athlete

Pinner resident Reshad Saraj has enjoyed double success winning the silver medal at the Boccia England (BE) Championship Cup competition held at the Institute of Sport Sheffield and also receiving the Boccia England Player of the Year Award 2017. In the BE Cup, BC2 classification group stage and following a series of tough matches against athletes from all over the country Reshad finished second in the group losing only one match to the eventual gold medal winner. In the semi final he played against the winner of the second group, beating his opponent and moving into the Final of the event. In a closely fought match Reshad narrowly lost to a former member of the GB team and Paralympic medal winner but earned his place at the GB Boccia Championship against athletes from all the home nations being held in the Exhibition Centre, Liverpool in August. At the medals presentation at the end of the weekend,  Chief Executive Officer for Boccia England; Chris Ratcliffe presented Reshad with the Boccia England Player of the Year Award for his significant improvement over the year and his contribution to the sport. During the course of the year Reshad has won a number of gold medals at regional and national competitions and also won the gold at his first international event representing England at the Poznan International Open competition held in Poland where he played against other athletes including world ranking individuals from amongst the 16 nations taking part. Reshad commented on receiving his award: “It has been a challenging but rewarding year and I am proud to have been selected from such an elite group of athletes to receive this award and my thanks go to my coaches and support team who have made this possible” Reshad (25), who has lived in the Harrow/Pinner area for many years, only commenced playing Boccia some 7 years ago following a recommendation from a teaching assistant at Whitmore School in Harrow where Reshad was studying. Playing for local club, PACE a charitable organisation supporting disabled people in sport, Reshad progressed through regional and national events before coming to the notice of and being selected by Boccia Team England. Reshad’s ambition is to be selected for Great Britain and to represent his country through his sport at Paralympics Games