Mohammed Talebeardkani proved to be the winner after British Athletics gave Year 3 pupils of Nelson Primary School in Birmingham the task of designing the front cover of the event programme for the SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships.
Inspired by 2011 world 1500m silver medallist Hannah England and 2017 European cross country team relay gold medallist Sarah McDonald - who both visited the pupils back in December - the children were given a golden opportunity to show their artistic talents and get their design on the front cover of the souvenir programme which will be enjoyed by thousands who attend the Arena Birmingham this weekend.
On the winning design Hannah, now Chair of the UK Athletics Athletes’ Commission, said: “I am so pleased to have been involved in this fantastic initiative. Mohammed’s design encapsulates everything about the event – it is fun, and a great representation of the excitement athletes, coaches, families and fans have when they come to compete or watch the event. I’d encourage everyone to buy a copy on the day – it will be a fantastic souvenir.”
Assistant-Head Teacher at Nelson Primary School, in Birmingham (where Mohammed attends) Louise Barnes said: “To have been engaged in this initiative has been a fantastic opportunity and really memorable for our year 3 children, particularly for Mohammad and his superb front cover design.
Having two athletes who have represented Great Britain visit your school does not happen every day, and the buzz of excitement it has given the pupils to get creative has been really great to see.”
British Athletics Major Events Director, Cherry Alexander – who judged the competition and decided the winner – said: “It was a really tough decision but Mohammed’s design really encapsulates some of the great landmarks of Birmingham. There were so many fantastic entries from Nelson Primary School, so on behalf of British Athletics I want to say a big thank you to all the year three students for their hard work.
The British Championships is all about the community spirit so I’m proud to offer these local students the chance to get involved with the event in this way. I’m looking forward to British Athletics expanding this activity during the summer and seeing more children’s creativity and passion for both sport and art.”
The best of Britain will gather at the Arena Birmingham this weekend (Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February) to compete to be crowned British champion and battle for a place on the British Athletics team ahead of the IAAF World Indoor Championships, due to be held at the Arena from 1 – 4 March.