Blackburn’s ‘Yak’ honoured for 53 years of dedication to boxing

A Blackburn boxing coach who remortgaged his family home to open a gym and has spent more than five decades helping young people through sport has received a national lifetime achievement award.

Yaqoob ‘Yak’ Hussain, 72, has been presented with the England Boxing Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 53 years of volunteering, coaching and service to amateur boxing.

A Level 4 England Boxing coach, referee and judge, Yaqoob has dedicated much of his life to creating opportunities for young people in Blackburn, helping them develop confidence, discipline and healthier lifestyles through boxing.

His commitment to the sport has even seen him remortgage his family home to establish a boxing gym on Burnley Road in Blackburn.

A lifetime dedicated to boxing and young people

For Yaqoob, boxing has always been about far more than competition in the ring.

Through his work with Blackburn with Darwen Police ABC, he has spent decades encouraging young people to get involved in sport, develop new skills and become part of a supportive community.

His contribution has previously been recognised through other awards and local campaigns celebrating volunteers who make a difference across Blackburn with Darwen.

The latest honour, presented at an England Boxing ceremony attended by leading figures from the sport, including heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, recognises his longstanding contribution to grassroots boxing.

Speaking about the award, Yaqoob said:

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the England Boxing Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Boxing has always been much more than a sport to me. It has been about helping people, creating opportunities, building confidence and bringing communities together.

“I love Blackburn and have always tried to give something back to the town and the people who have supported me throughout my life. To receive national recognition from England Boxing is incredibly special and something I am very proud of.

“This award belongs to everybody who has supported me over the years, including my family, friends, fellow volunteers, the boxing community and the people of Blackburn with Darwen.”

National recognition for a Blackburn volunteer

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, welcomed the award.

“Many people across the borough know Yaqoob for his tireless commitment to helping others and his passion for supporting young people through sport and community activity. His contribution goes far beyond boxing.

“He has already received a number of well-deserved awards over the years and was recently featured in The Shuttle and our community campaigns celebrating local people who make a difference.

“This England Boxing Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting recognition of a lifetime spent serving others and representing Blackburn with pride. He is a fantastic ambassador for our borough and we congratulate him on this remarkable achievement.”

Still representing Blackburn around the world

Despite more than half a century of involvement in boxing, Yaqoob shows no signs of slowing down.

He recently travelled to Sweden for the King of the Ring Box Cup, an international boxing event involving around 800 competitors from across the world.

Speaking about the invitation, he said:

“It’s a real honour to have been invited. To have the opportunity to represent my borough and my country means a great deal to me, and I was very proud to represent Blackburn in Sweden.”

Yaqoob’s dedication continues through his work at Blackburn with Darwen Police ABC, where he remains involved in supporting the next generation of young boxers.

Interested in trying boxing?

Anyone interested in getting involved in boxing or finding out more about Blackburn with Darwen Police ABC is welcome to visit the club’s gym on Burnley Road in Blackburn.

The club provides an opportunity to get involved in the sport and benefit from the experience of volunteers such as Yaqoob, whose commitment to boxing and his local community now spans more than five decades.