Munya FC Retain Crown at the 4th Nahid Cup

Community Unites Against Knife Crime

By Emdad Rahman

The 4th annual Nahid Cup has taken place, drawing a record 14 teams into a day of thrilling football, community spirit, and urgent calls for action against the scourge of knife crime.

This year’s tournament was one of the closest yet. In a nail biting final, Munya FC – last year’s winners, faced off against Muslims United. After a 1–1 draw in normal time, Munya FC held their nerve to edge the contest on penalties, successfully defending their crown.

The event was made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of Aslam Hussain, Abs Hussain, Mujib, and Aktaroz, whose dedication continues to keep Nahid’s memory alive and inspire the younger generation through sport.

Football With a Purpose

Beyond the excitement of the pitch, the Nahid Cup has always carried a deeper message. The tournament honours the memory of Nahid Ahmed, whose life was tragically cut short by knife crime. His story remains a stark reminder of the devastating impact violence has on families and communities.

In the UK, knife crime continues to rise at alarming levels. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 49,489 knife related offences in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023, with young men aged 15–24 disproportionately affected. London remains the epicentre, accounting for over a quarter of these crimes.

Calls for Education, Prevention, and Policing

Speaking at the event, Enfield Council Leader Ergin Erbil delivered a powerful message: “We cannot stand by and allow another family to suffer the heartbreak that Nahid’s family lives with every day. Education, opportunity, and strong community leadership are essential, but so too is stronger policing to keep our streets safe.”

Councillor Islam echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for grassroots action: “We must engage our young people early. Tournaments like the Nahid Cup show what positive role models and community togetherness can achieve. But we also need to tackle the root causes; inequality, lack of opportunities, and disconnection.”

Councillor Rafique Ullah added: “Knife crime destroys futures, both victims and perpetrators. We need visible policing on our estates, and for families, schools, mosques, and community groups to unite in educating young people about the consequences.”

A Mother’s Heartbreak

For Rita Ahmed, Nahid’s mother, the pain never fades. But she draws strength from seeing her son remembered through unity and positive action “Every goal scored today is a reminder that Nahid’s life meant something. If even one young person chooses peace over violence because of this tournament, then my son’s memory is helping to save lives.”

Looking Ahead

The Nahid Cup is a call to action. As knife crime continues to devastate lives, the message from Enfield was clear: sport has the power to inspire, but change requires sustained effort. More visible policing, more youth engagement, and more education in schools and communities are needed to prevent future tragedies.

Munya FC may have lifted the trophy once again, but the real victory lies in the hope that young people will choose a path of teamwork, friendship, and ambition – not blades and violence.