GMP officers take part in annual football match in memory of Sait Mboob

Officers from GMP’s Xcalibre Task Force took part in a friendly memorial football match in the memory of Sait Mboob, who was attacked and sadly died in August 2017.

The match, which was played on the same afternoon as the Manchester derby, saw a team of officers take on a team comprised of Sait’s family and friends.

Sait was a keen footballer with the event being organised by 84Youth, a youth led organisation who deal with the causes of youth violence. Both of Sait’s parents were present as well as his brothers and sisters.

In a friendly but competitive nature the 6-a-side match ended with the GMP officers taking home the trophy after winning 13-10, the first time they have managed to walk away victorious.

Sergeant Martin Harrison of GMP's Xcalibre Task Force said: “This game brings together officers and partners to show both support and solidarity to the community.

“By building these relationships and working together as a partnership alongside the community, we are hopeful that we will be able to start conversations and work as one towards a joint goal of reducing serious youth violence.

“We are more than six years on since Sait and his friends were attacked, and the memory of that day still lives with all of us.

"Our dedicated Xcalibre Task Force are committed to reducing gang related violence in the Trafford and South Manchester areas and will continue to work closely with the local community and support groups such as 84Youth in the positive work they do.

"I'd like to everyone who has been involved in organising Sunday's game and I hope that our involvement can provide some small comfort to Sait's family and friends."

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant neighbourhoods and a youth worker who worked with Sait, added: “I would like to thank everyone who turned up to the game on Sunday, it was another competitive and tight contest between the two teams with the GMP officers claiming the bragging rights on this occasion.

“It is a real testament to everyone attends the event not only to show a real close relationship between the Police, partners and members of the local community but to celebrate the life of a wonderful young man who died at such a young age.

“All of us will continue with the work we are doing to try and bring down the numbers of youngster that are involved in serious violence across Greater Manchester.”