Kasam is unveiled as Tower Hamlets Olympic torchbearer

Emdad Rahman: Redlands Primary School was the venue as the Olympic Torchbearers were unveiled in front of the world’s media. The children all gathered to cheer on the torchbearers with hand-made shakers and flame hats.  The torchbearers wore a simple yet elegant all white uniform with gold trim to complement the Olympic Torch.

Mayor Boris Johnson and Triple Jump World Record Holder and Olympic Champion Jonathan Edwards were on hand to introduce the five specially selected torchbearers.  Among them was local man Abul Kasam.  Born and raised in Tower Hamlets,  Kasam said he was “absolutely humbled and delighted” to be representing his home borough of Tower Hamlets, a Host Borough for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.  Kasam was selected out of over 70,000 nominations and is one of just 13 torchbearers from Tower Hamlets.  He believes he was nominated for the various volunteering work he does.

Kasam has been involved in charity work for many years: from doing bucket collections on Whitechapel Road, to climbing up mountains for charity.  He is also a School Governor at Kobi Nazrul Primary School.  Like many residents in Tower Hamlets, his parents left everything behind in Bangladesh to come to London for a fresh opportunity for their families. 

Kasam feels he has achieved well, excelling in his education and career due to the sacrifices his parents made for the next generation.  He said: “They instilled in us the strong values of hard work, education and caring for those around you.”

Kasam has always worked for the betterment of his community and it is entirely apt that he has been selected as a torchbearer for the greatest sporting show on earth.