Enterprising pair reach finals (From Asian Image)

Enterprising pair reach finals

4:55pm Tuesday 14th November 2006

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Two young businessmen have reached the final of the Enterprising Young Brits contest just one year after their company was set up.

Baljeet Bobby' Singh and Rowland Egege set up Pro-active Sports last year to provide PE teaching to Bradford primary schools.

The pair beat off 1,000 entries to make a the shortlist of 25 and are now preparing to travel to London for the final hosted by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

At the final Bobby and Rowland will have to pitch their ideas to a panel including Kanya King, founder of the Mobo awards, and presenter Margherita Taylor. They will then make their judgement and Mr Brown will announce the winner after a gala dinner.

The Enterprising Young Brits event is held to showcase the achievements of young people in the UK.

Due to the fact that primary schools do not have full-time PE teachers they have plugged a gap in the market by offering to go into schools once a week to teach children PE. After one year in operation the company had a staff of seven and 45 schools on its books.

Bobby said: "We are both over the moon.

"Orders keep coming in and we are getting bigger and growing all the time. I always wanted to start my own business and it has long been a dream of mine. I would say to people thinking of starting your own business to follow your dreams and have confidence in yourself.

"The first year of the business has been really hard and difficult but if you are getting knocks all the time you come back a stronger person. Self belief is very important."

Kevin Steele, chief executive of the Make Your Mark campaign and competition organiser, said: "Competition has been fiercer than ever and we have received some really amazing entries, showing that age is no barrier to turning your ideas into reality.

"Rowland and Baljeet are a real inspiration to other young people and I wish them both all the best of luck."

By Mark Casci

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