Sudan refugee passes GCSEs and dreams of the World Cup
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.
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."
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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