INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG PERSON OF THE MONTH: Khovan hussein

Street League’s Inspirational Young Person of the Month for August is the latest recipient of the Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero Award, Khovan Hussein. His passion for fitness has led him to fundraise for various causes and inspire his peers who have experienced similar medical, mental, and physical issues to find the same solace he has from sports.

Khovan is a 17-year-old from Warrington who was diagnosed with a heart condition (borderline left ventricular hypertrophy), autism and ADHD from a young age, and was recently told he also has Tourette’s syndrome. However, none of that has stopped him from advocating for others to participate in physical activity.

He states: “Sport and health and fitness, in general, has helped with my confidence, it’s part of who I am. It has helped me develop as a person. I’m more outgoing, I’m better in social situations, and I’ve got more confidence and resilience. And if it made me more social and outgoing, maybe it can work on others.”

Sport and fitness changed his life, and he chooses to share it with others who have also struggled, especially those who lack social skills and self-confidence. During the pandemic, Khovan was at high risk of Covid-19 due to his heart condition, so he began isolating himself immediately. But that didn’t stop him from connecting and sharing his passion with others. He spent his days filming 10–15-minute exercise videos for his school friends and teachers to participate in since there weren’t many options for exercise during lockdown.

His clear love for the sport is reflected in the gold medals he has won in competitions. Hussein has also completed two Wargrave House College work placements as an MMA coach and gym instructor/personal trainer, where he wishes to continue a similar type of role after college.

After receiving the award, Khovan said: “I feel really excited about getting the Sporting Hero award. It means a lot and I’m very excited about it all.  And I think that for the career I want to go for, it’s going to help and motivate me even more.”

Khovan continues to use his growing knowledge of sport and fitness to help change the lives of young people who have faced similar situations like his own. Follow his incredible journey on TikTok and Instagram where he posts videos and answers questions: @KhovanH