Nahid Ahmed was stabbed to death by his neighbour in September 2020

The winning team celebrates with the Nahid Cup

The tragic effects of knife crime were highlighted as grassroots footballers competed for the annual Nahid Cup.

The Latymer School in Edmonton hosted twelve teams battling it out for the right to be crowned champions.

The Nahid Cup is now an annual event organised to commemorate the tragic loss of 26-year-old Nahid Ahmed, who lost his life after being fatally stabbed in Enfield in September 2020.

Team Nahid, managed by Monowar Hussain, reached the final for the third year in a row. The team battled valiantly before being beaten 2-0 on penalties by Elyaas Ali’s London Stars, who were crowned champions.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police were present at the tournament as part of community outreach efforts, and also speak about the effects of knife crime.

Nahid’s mother Rushanara Rita Ahmed expressed her gratitude for all those who took part and said: “Knife crime not only kills but leaves those living having to cope with bitterness, anguish, sorrow and suffering for the rest of their lives.

“I am grateful to everyone for the love shown for Nahid and very proud that his legacy continues to shine, through the affection of those who loved him dearly, and equally, the many strangers who never met him.

“If one precious life is saved as the result of the awareness created today then we as a community can rightly stand proud.”

Nahid was fatally stabbed by Abdi Osman, aged 43, outside a tower block in Holbrook Close where they both lived. Nahid was on the phone to his girlfriend when it happened. Osman later pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 23-and-a-half-years in jail in 2021.

According to the Ben Kinsella Trust there were 233 murders involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales in the twelve months to March. Figures released by the Office For National Statistics also reveal that knife-enabled crime in England and Wales has risen by 4% over the same period, with police recording 50,510 offences.

This marks a significant 78% increase over the past decade. Despite this rise, the current levels remain 3% lower than the pre-pandemic period ending in March 2020, which saw a record high of 51,982 offences.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.