04/07/2026
a bit of a long one but really need to express my feelings.
I am genuinely surprised, humbled and incredibly grateful.
To everyone close to me, my family, my friends, everyone connected with Oadby Owls Football Club, and especially my amazing wife, Nafeesa Katib and our 3 children this award belongs to all of you. It would never have been possible without your support, belief and encouragement.
I also want everyone to know that Oadby Owls Football Club is in safe hands. We have an outstanding Executive Committee, brilliant coaches and volunteers, and some huge announcements are coming soon that will take the club to another level and make it even better for our community.
To be nominated was an honour. To be shortlisted was unbelievable. To actually win is something I never expected, and I am truly thankful.
People often ask why I do what I do. The answer is simple.
I do it for the 500 children who play across our 48 teams and the 250 young people who attend our academy every week. Football is so much more than a game. It gives children a place to belong, improves their physical health, supports their mental wellbeing, builds friendships and creates lifelong memories. It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl, your background, your ability or your experience everyone deserves the opportunity to be part of something special. Diversity and inclusion aren't just words to us; they're part of who we are.
The smiles, the laughter, the tears, the innocence and the joy of seeing children grow in confidence can never be replaced. That's why I do what I do.
I'm still that scruffy kid from East London E11, and I'll never forget my roots. Nearly 20 years ago, we moved to Leicester because my parents wanted to be closer to their brothers and sisters as they got older, and my amazing wife, Nafeesa, wanted a new place to raise our children.
Eighteen years ago, I started my journey with Oadby Owls Football Club. I was actually advised not to join because I was told the club wasn't very diverse and that I'd struggle to fit in.
But my mother and late father always taught me something that has stayed with me throughout my life:
"Never run away from a challenge. Face it and become the man you're meant to be, otherwise you'll spend your life running away.
Don't see religion, race, colour or gender. We are all one. Be part of the solution, show your worth and always be the best person you can be."
Nafeesa Katib has always said always look at the positives and not negatives in life.
Those words have guided me every single day.
Like many people from ethnic minority backgrounds, I've faced challenges in football and in life. Sometimes people didn't see me as a born and bred Brit. They just saw the colour of my skin. As my good friend Dave Masson always jokes, I still sound like an East End barrow boy!
There were similar challenges at Oadby too, but I kept going because I believed actions speak louder than words.
Over the years I've served the club in many different roles—from Group Leader, Coach and Vice Chair to becoming Chairman around eight years ago.
That first year as Chairman was incredibly difficult. There were many challenges, and at one point I was ready to step down. Once again, Dave Masson, my amazing parents and my family kept me grounded and reminded me why I'd started this journey.
Life continued to test us all. Bereavements. Work. Family life. Then COVID changed the world.
But we came through it.
We restructured, rebuilt and have gone from strength to strength.
The club has continued to grow. We secured our 3G pitch something many thought would never happen. Thanks to Leicestershire & Rutland County FA and everyone who supported that journey. One of my proudest moments was seeing 20 of our children selected to feature in the Usborne Football Skills book, which has been a huge success, sold out multiple times, is now on sale in the USA and was even nominated for Children's Book of the Year in the Hobbies category.
I also want to say a huge thank you to our long-standing kit and trophy suppliers, MDH Teamwear & Trophies, whose continued support of Oadby Owls Football Club is greatly appreciated. This season alone, they helped provide around 500 trophies, making our Presentation Evening another unforgettable celebration for every child. Their commitment to grassroots football and recognising young people's achievements means a great deal to our club.
Alongside chairing the club, I continued coaching and managing.
When Matt at Houghton Rangers Juniors FC asked me to help their Under-18s so the players could finish the season while focusing on their A Levels, I was happy to help. We took a team from the bottom of the league to within one point of winning it and reached a semi-final. my 1st journey outside the club.
I also started our men's team because some of the boys I'd known since they were four years old at Oadby Owls Football Club wanted to continue their journey into adult football. We set ourselves a five-year target of reaching the Premier Division from Division Four.
In our first season, with players who hardly knew each other, no team training and a brand new squad, we narrowly missed the league title, reached two semi-finals and a County Cup Final.
Three seasons later, we've reached more semi-finals, quarter-finals and earned promotion to the Premier Division two years ahead of schedule and we've still never trained together as a team! That still makes me laugh.
There is so much to be grateful for. Alhamdulillah. All praise belongs to Allah God. There is only one God.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, believed in me, challenged me, stood beside me and shared this journey.
I continue to work with all the communities in Oadby and Leicester despite nasty comments and attacks by certain groups and Individuals without really knowing who i am and i respect all those who i work with.
A big thanks to Jasmine Mai Lee who i love dearly despite giving her a hard time calling me Dad and 1 have 3 amazing wonderful grandkids.
This award isn't mine.
It belongs to every child who has ever worn an Oadby Owls shirt, every volunteer who has given up their time, every coach, every committee member, every parent, my family, my friends, and especially my wife Nafeesa and our children, who have sacrificed so much over the years.
People often tell me I could write a book about my journey. Maybe one day I will. But every story has an ending.
For now, I simply want to say thank you.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Haf Katib
Chairperson
07710418773
