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# Sudan refugee passes GCSEs and dreams of the World Cup
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/sudan-refugee-passes-gcses-and-dreams-of-the-world-cup/
- Published: 2026-08-20T10:40:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-20T10:40:28.000Z
- Description: Three years after fleeing war-torn Sudan for Ipswich, Nasser Hamid has passed his GCSEs, officiated a charity match at Portman Road, and is now eyeing a future in engineering – and, one day, the World Cup.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Secondary Education, Suffolk New College

**Why it matters:** Nasser, 20, who fled Sudan in 2023, picked up his GCSE maths results today, adding to an English GCSE gained earlier this year – both at grade 4\. He studies an IT course at Suffolk New College, having started out as an ESOL student.

**The details:** Nasser had wanted to be a footballer before injury ended that ambition, so he channelled his energy into becoming a football referee instead. He continues to officiate Saturday and Sunday league football, and this year oversaw a charity game at Portman Road.

"I started at grass roots level and recently had the pleasure of stepping out at Portman Road – one of the greatest stadiums in England," he said. "It was eye opening. I recently went to the Edinburgh International Cup. And I'd like to continue to progress – to the Championship – the Premier League – and with the World Cup – who knows."

**What they're saying:** On receiving his GCSE results, Nasser said: "I feel proud – it is one of the proudest moments in my life – this is the result I was waiting for to step forward. Thanks to Suffolk New College, without their help I wouldn't be standing here."

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/08/1---Nasser-Hamid-got-to-ref-a-match-at-Portman-Road-and-gained-two-GCSE-passes-at-Suffolk-New-College-today---photo-supplied-by-Nasser-Hamid---Suffolk-Refugee-Support-1.jpeg)

Nasser at Portman Road (Photo: Suffolk New College)

He had a message for students following the same path he took: "A special message to fellow students on ESOL courses – just believe in yourself – with discipline and hard work, you can achieve your goals."

David Squire, head of maths at Suffolk New College and Nasser's teacher, said: "I've never been prouder of a learner in my life."

**What's next:** Nasser is planning to study engineering at university. "I'm also pushing forward to be an engineer – I'm on track," he said. "Next, I'm going to do an access course and then, hopefully, go to university to study engineering."

**The bottom line:** From arriving in Ipswich as a refugee to passing his GCSEs and refereeing at Portman Road, Nasser Hamid is now setting his sights on engineering – and continuing to progress through the refereeing ranks.

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