A Blackburn Muay Thai kickboxing club has marked its first anniversary after attracting more than 150 members in just 12 months.
LGNDS Academy, which opened last year, has grown rapidly, drawing members from across Blackburn and beyond while helping young people build confidence, discipline and resilience through sport.
The club opened at East Lancs Cricket and Sport Club in July last year and recently marked its first anniversary with a special event for members and supporters.
The evening, which was attended by Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain, was an opportunity for volunteers to thank everyone for their support.
The audience also heard from students who spoke about how the club had been instrumental in their development.
The club launched in an area where there were no sporting opportunities of this type for young people.
Co-Founder and Coach, Ali Mangera, said: “Some may see us simply as a sports club, but we see ourselves as a community and wellbeing organisation that uses sports and physical activity as the vehicle for wider social impact.”
Co-Founder and Coach, Uwais Patel, said: “Reaching our first anniversary is an incredibly proud and emotional milestone for me and everyone at LGNDS Academy.
“When we started LGNDS, the vision was always bigger than Muay Thai – we wanted to create a place where people could belong, grow in confidence, develop discipline and resilience, and become stronger versions of themselves.
“To see that vision come to life over the past year, particularly through the children and young people who walk through our doors each week, has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve seen friendships formed, confidence built and individuals achieve things they may not have thought possible.
“None of this would have happened without our amazing coaches, volunteers, members, parents, supporters and the wider community who have believed in us from day one.”
Student and Assistant Coach, Hafsah Khonat, said: “When I first started at the age 8 or 9, I was pretty unsure of myself.
“The reason I started training was because my mum took me to the classes, convincing me that this was a good idea.
“To be honest, I wasn’t really a "sporty" person at all, and I honestly couldn’t think of anything worse; she had to drag me out the house every Sunday. I actually kind of felt like that world didn’t suit me, and I never really saw myself fitting in.
“Over the past few years I have had a lot to learn, and there were moments when I felt like giving up. But the team never let me. They encouraged me and pushed me. Because of their belief in me, I had the confidence to keep going, to keep practicing, and to keep improving.”
Student Mariyah Musa said when she first started training, she didn’t think she would last a year.
“My journey started back in 2017. I initially started because, as a child, I lacked physical strength and stamina. So, after my mum and neighbour conspired against me, they decided that learning Muay Thai would strengthen me as a person. And they weren’t wrong!
“I would be lying if I said that my journey was without its ups and downs. Taking part in interclub used to give me great anxiety as I cared too much about what people thought.
“But over time, I realised that the people here don’t care whether I win or lose; they care about helping me improve so I can do better next time.
“Alongside training, I am now an assistant coach working with children ages four to 14 and ladies in our women’s class.
“I really enjoy passing on my skills to others as I feel like I can make a small but meaningful difference in our community.”
She added: “The team here at LGNDS isn’t just people. They’ve become a second family to me.”
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