YOUTH coach Tafazzul Taff Islam has been short-listed for the Coach of the Year accolade at the coveted British Asian Sports Awards later this month. Islam, who lives in West Hampstead, is head of coaching at the Pro Touch Soccer Academy and mentors you

YOUTH coach Tafazzul 'Taff' Islam has been short-listed for the Coach of the Year accolade at the coveted British Asian Sports Awards later this month.

Islam, who lives in West Hampstead, is head of coaching at the Pro Touch Soccer Academy and mentors youngsters across Westminster, Camden and Islington.

He is one of three nominees for the award, to be presented a week on Saturday at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.

"Taff has been with us since day one and he's made a huge impact," said Pro Touch director Ash Rahman. "These awards are very prestigious and it's a massive achievement just to be nominated."

The 25-year-old attended Arsenal's school of excellence as a teenager and represented the club at Academy level alongside the likes of David Bentley and Justin Hoyte.

After a brief spell in the USA with Atlanta Silverbacks, Islam switched to coaching and works with Arsenal's under-nine squad. He holds a UEFA B licence, but is due to take his full licence at Lilleshall later this year.

Pro Touch youngster Joshua Shama, who is currently playing for Reading's under-14 side, has also been nominated in the junior sports personality of the year category.

You can cast your votes for the pair at: 09011597827/SMS Voting (83222) BASA TAFAZZUL or 09011597814/SMS Voting (83222) BASA JOSHUA. Calls and SMS votes are charged at 50p each.