This week at the Beyond Sport Summit in London, cricket received a great boost, when young Afghan refugee Matiullah Haider from Cricket for Change, was presented with the inaugural ‘Generation Ali Beyond Sport Award’ which recognises Service, Leadership, and Action in the community.

Matiullah who lost most of his family in the conflict in Afghanistan, came to the UK 4 years ago as a refugee at the age of 15. As an integral part of the Refugee Cricket Project (RCP is run by Cricket for Change and the Refugee Council) and from the adversity of his early life it is through the example he sets as a brother and father figure to the other young refugees that are part of the RCP, which has set him apart.

Cricket for Change were delighted for Matiullah who now at the age of the 19 is a great ambassador and inspiration for young people. Danny Baker, Cricket for Change Training Manager said, “I am extremely proud of Matiullah and his achievements and he is a magnificent ambassador for young people in his community and the world”.

Matiullah uses the tool of cricket to engage with young people to provide them with support to those who feel isolated and fearful and then help them to grow in confidence in a safe and secure environment. Using his own experiences, cricket is being used as a great example for change for many young people.

For Matiullah it was a great honour and somewhat of a whirlwind, “I am delighted to have won the award and it was one of the most fantastic nights of my life,” said Matiullah.

As part of the programme of support that Matiullah and his fellow nominees will receive as the founding members of Beyond Sport's Young Advisory Panel, they will be flown by British Airways to the Beyond Sport United conference, to be held at Yankee Stadium in New York on November 13th 2012.