Two Walthamstow businessmen have agreed to help a promising taekwondo star by providing sponsorship.

Ten-year-old Ilyas Hussain impressed Majid Khan and Tariq Mehmood with his talent and dedication and so they agreed to help fund his development.

Ilyas regularly trains in Manchester during half term and the summer holidays and this sponsorship will help the Edinburgh Primary School pupil with travelling expenses as well as purchasing equipment.

The youngster, who trains at Hadri Taekwondo, earned a place on the Great Britain Taekwondo Cadet Squad last year and was victorious in February at the Luxembourg Open.

Ilyas was extremely grateful for the funding which will allow him to compete at the Dutch Open on Saturday.

Khan, owner of Net Kitchens Direct in Wood Street, Walthamstow, said Ilyas is an inspiration to so many children including his own son who now trains at Hadri.

Mehmood, owner of Raw Fitness London in Lea Bridge Road, was impressed by the youngster’s training schedule, adding that he has great talent and that it is a pleasure to sponsor him.

Councillor Asim Mehmood extended his thanks to the two businessmen for helping Ilyas, explaining that it was great to see local businesses putting back into the community.