The Abu Hanifah Scout Group has been crowned Northern champion at the Scouts Olympic Games, held at Sport City, in Manchester.

The annual event, which is organised by the UK Muslim Scout Fellowship (UKMSF) brings together Muslim scout groups from across the country, competing in a variety of Olympic-style games.

This was the first year Abu Hanifah Foundation Scouts entered into the competition, with 40 children aged between six and 10.

From the outset, the children showed great confidence, resilience and grit, brushing aside teams from Halifax, Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester, to be crowned North region champions.

AHF Scout Leader Sazeda Patel said: “Our kids were absolutely amazing. They tried their very best in all the events and it was so exciting watching the boys and girls finishing first over and over again.”

Yousif Eltom, chairman of the Muslim Scout Fellowship, said: “AHF Scout Group is an inspiration to others.

“The passion and positive energy that resonates from the leaders and children is truly a breath of fresh air.”

The South Region Olympics took place the following day in London, with the 25th Harlow Al Ghazali Scout Group finishing top.

AHF Scouts were announced the national UK Champions with a record haul of 45 gold and the best ever tally of 90 medals.

Dr Khalid Master, chairman of Abu Hanifah Foundation, explained: “To become national champions in their first year of competing is an extraordinary achievement.

We were confident our sports services, AHF Football Club and AHF Girls' Running Club would boost their chances of winning but we didn’t think they would be crowned national winners.

"We are very proud of our children”.

Wayne Bulpitt, UK chief commissioner for the Scouts Association, said: “It was great to meet the leaders and young people of AHF Scouts and discuss why they are being so successful.

"They are great role models on how to be a successful scout group”.

To become a AHF Scouts volunteer, e-mail scouts@abuhanifahfoundation.org.