Team UK – Committee
Abida Abbas
Social Media Lead
Sports Icons: Arnold Palmer and Muhammad Ali
What I enjoy most about my role for Team UK: Working as the Social Media Lead for Team UK is a new experience of its kind. I’m excited and overwhelmed by the task. I am working with an active and passionate team. We are determined, focused and united to fulfil our role in the arena of Social Media.
Favourite workout song: Verge – Owl City and Give Me Everything – Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Nayer & Afrojack
Abida Hirji
Administrator and Info Management
Sports Icon: Roger Federer
Highlight from the 2008 Golden Jubilee Games: I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend the first Golden Jubilee Games in Kenya and to play tennis for Team UK. A few highlights of the trip were the incredible closing ceremony, meeting people from around the world and bonding with my UK team mates.
Favourite workout song: Any David Guetta song!
Alim Hirji
Sports Coordinator
Sports Icons: Rafael Nadal – Work ethic and passion and Theirry Henry – Talent and winning mentality
Highlight from the 2008 Golden Jubilee Games: Winning a gold medal and meeting Prince Hussain. Another highlight was celebrating the Games at the closing ceremony with the global Jamat, with all the new friends and family that we had made over the course of the Games.
Favourite workout song: Lose Yourself – Eminem
Faiz Mitha
Project Lead
Sports Icon: Mark Waugh
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Meeting athletes and the Jamat from all over the world and hopefully representing Team UK as an athlete.
Favourite workout song: Hit me with your best shot – Pat Benatar
Jahanara Mirazi
Young Ambasasador Programme Lead
Sports Icon: Mohammad Ali
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Working with Nimtaz! [Editor’s note: I didn’t make her say that, promise!] I truly enjoy working with talented young individuals whose ambitious approaches inspire me to never give up on mine.
Favourite song: Mahira Tahiri- Mailesh
Jamilah Kanji
Administrator and Info Management
Sports Icon: Rebecca Adlington
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Looking forward to the heat and watching wrestling.
Favourite song: Be right there – Diplo ft sleepy Tom
Natasha Hirani
Sports Coordinator
Sports Icon: Pete Sampras
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Some might say it’s to top up my tan, but in actual fact…I’m excited to be part of such a momentous event which will create memories and friendships of a lifetime by bringing together Ismailis from across the world, fostering a sense of community and team spirit. I feel privileged to be in a position to help harness talent within Team UK and to encourage our athletes to strive for excellence. Go Team UK!
Favourite workout song: Waiting All Night – Rudimental usually does the trick!
Nimtaz-Tanya Noordin
Marketing and Communications
Sports Icons: Roger Federer (sorry Andy!), Pelé and Nicola Adams
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: I can’t wait to watch high quality sporting action. Although athletes are from various countries with diverse cultures and may speak different languages, our faith and sports unites us all and the Jubilee Games is an occasion to celebrate the sporting prowess within our global community. Having said that, even though my cousins from Canada are competing, I’m supporting Team UK all the way.
Favourite workout song: Gangnam Style – Psy. Not sure if it’s my favourite workout song…more like most effective. It makes me run faster as I can’t wait for the track to finish!
Nizam Bata
Finance
Sports Icon: Rafael Nadal
Most looking forward to: Connecting with international Jamats, meeting new people, watching live sport at an extremely high level. I’ve never been a fan of watching sport on the TV but when it’s live there is such an exciting atmosphere and spirit and this will be enhanced by the fact it is fellow Ismailis playing.
Favourite workout song: Walking with Elephant – Ten Walls
Riaz Hooda
Aga Khan Youth & Sports Board
Sports Icon: Michael Jordan
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Experiencing with others, the richness of our diversity and sporting talent. And escaping heat-stroke!
Favourite workout song: Don’t have a favourite workout song because I don’t “workout”. I just cycle and play a variety of sports to balance my cake-eating addiction. Editor’s song suggestion: Sugar – Maroon 5
Rizwan Ladak
Finance
Sports Icon: Muhammad Ali
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Meeting new and diverse people and seeing how such an event will continue to strengthen the togetherness of the world Jamat while celebrating our sporting talents.
Favourite workout song: No favourite song to workout to but just as long as its RnB!
Simeen Chatur
Culture and Events
Sports Icon: David Beckham – a sporting turned fashion icon with admirable values and ethics.
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: The Jubilee Games will be a journey filled with excitement, competition, and celebration and an opportunity to create long lasting memories and friendships. I’m proud to be part of a global voluntary team, helping to organise events to promote health, fitness and well-being.
Favourite workout song: Feel the Love – Rudimental
Zahra Jivraj
Logistics and Spectator Experience
Sports Icon: Novak Djokovic
Most looking forward to at the 2016 Jubilee Games: Meeting and celebrating with Ismailis from all over the world with common interests!
Favourite song: Falling (Duke Demot remix) – Haim