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Ahmed Ali, 17, has been rejected by the Amateur Boxing Association on health grounds |
Sparring against the odds
Young boxer’s career on hold as he comes to terms with diabetes
AHMED Ali had ambitions to become a competitive boxer.
But as he was gearing up to take part in his first fight, aged 15, he was plagued by constant thirst, weight loss and a need to go to the toilet.
Within weeks his life was to change after a visit to the doctor resulted in him being diagnosed with type-1 diabetes.
Since that day, Ali’s dreams of fighting in competitions have had to be put on hold.
The Amateur Boxing Association rejected him on medical grounds and his first fight was cancelled.
Ali said: “Being diagnosed was a bit of a shock. I was 15 years old. I knew what was going on.
“But my first priority was that it would affect my boxing. I can train but I can’t compete. I was gutted about that but at the moment I’m training and helping others out with sparring.”
Now 17, he has come to terms with having diabetes, which requires him to inject insulin four times a day, but, he said, when he first got the news: “I was worried about the effects if I couldn’t control my blood sugar. The idea of using needles didn’t phase me too much. At first it was a bit of a hassle but I got around it quite quickly. I try to do it discreetly.
“It can be a bit awkward at times like when I go out with my friends to a restaurant. I might have to go around the corner (to inject).”
He says he doesn’t have the same trouble at school where he is allowed to use the nurse’s office to inject.
Ali, who is studying maths, biology and PE at A-level at Hampstead School in West Hampstead, hopes to go on to study sports science at Brunel University.
He is also hoping to apply for an amateur under 14 coaching license so he can help young boxers at his Kingfisher Club in Neasden.
He says he has only told a few close friends about his condition.
At home, he says, his mother has adapted her cooking to take into account his dietary needs.
Ali said: “The way my mum cooks my food has changed – it’s healthier than before. If she’s making fried chicken for the whole family, she won’t make that for me.”
He says he is aware of the more serious complications that could arise in the future, such as heart or kidney problems, or a deterioration in eyesight, but he is using his self-discipline to ensure he keeps his blood sugar level under control.
He said: “They said if it’s not controlled you can have heart or co-ordination problems. This is because nerve endings get damaged if the blood sugar stays high for a long time. I exercise a lot, so that helps me stay healthy.”
Ali will be participating in a Question Time-style panel at Hampstead School next Friday, where MP Frank Dobson will be grilled on health issues affecting young people.
Ali’s one plea to the government, he said, is: “To open more local clubs to encourage physical activity for the youth, whether they have diabetes or not.”
It’s time to kick the habit
SMOKERS desperate to quit the habit in time for next month’s ban can now have their own personalised strategy for giving up.
The James Wigg Practice, in St Pancras Way, has launched a Beat the Ban campaign, offering individual support from experienced nurses.
Practice partner Dr Roy MacGregor, said: “The practice nurses at James Wigg are all trained to provide smoking cessation advice and support for patients and can prescribe nicotine replacement. We make stopping smoking a positive experience. We know everyone is different and our approach is sensitive to individual needs.”
Smokers can take advantage of an individually planned programme, where they are seen weekly for the first four weeks.
Dr MacGregor said: “We will see you on a weekly basis for the first four weeks. The first appointment is preparing to ‘quit’ and planning a ‘quit date’. This is a half hour appointment and smokers are encouraged to continue smoking as usual until the quit date. We will address worries about stress, weight gain, social situations.” |
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