ASYLUM seekers in Swindon have completed a unique project aimed at helping them teach sport to children.

They have taken part in a 12-week Community Sports Leadership Award course run by the charity BTCV.

The seven young people, many of whom have escaped atrocities at home, have learned the skills needed to train others in a variety of sports, including football and basketball.

They were assessed this weekend at Parks Youth Centre, Swindon, by the national governing body, Sports Leaders UK.

Mohammed Abdeltam, 34, was one of the people taking part.

Nine months ago he fled from Darfur in Sudan where hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, and more than one million have left their homes in the face of militia attacks.

"I had no life there," said Mohammed, who still has family in the horror zone. "It was very scary as sometimes you would hear bombs go off nearby.

"I still have family over there and I worry about them all the time."

Abdel Rahman, 27, who is also from Darfur, is now living with Mohammed in Old Town.

"I would like to go back home but if I went back I would be killed," he said.

Now thousands of miles from the bloodshed, the new friends are looking forward to putting their new skills to use.

"The course has been fun and interesting," said Mohammed.

"I enjoy sports and I enjoy working with young people," he added.

The young people signed up to take part in the course voluntarily, with the aim of volunteering at sports clubs and agencies in the Swindon community.

The course began in January and was open to all young people but particu-larly encouraged those seeking asylum.

Geoff Palmer, 59, regional development officer for Sport Leader UK, who assessed the candidates during the weekend, said: "Sport is a common language no matter where you are from. This course helps to break down barriers and builds leaders for the future."

Coach Tracy Mackeddie praised the people taking part.

"It has been an amazing achievement for those involved," she said.

"The young people have shown a real talent and aptitude for coaching."

The course was funded by the Commission for Racial Equality, and supported by the Lifestyle Unit at the County Ground and Parks Youth Centre.

Ben Payne