Raiders President to take the torch

While there may not be a football event at the 2010 winter Olympics, the Vancouver Island Raiders have found a way to get involved. Team president Hadi Abassi has been named as the torch bearer for Nanaimo. Abassi will run the Olympic torch October 31, around 5:30, through the downtown core of the Hub city. The Raider president has gained the love and trust of the community with his tireless efforts to better the city that welcomed him so many years ago. Even before he brought the junior football team to town, Abassi was quick to give back in anyway possible. Sponsoring no less than 5 local sports team at any given time, and coaching minor hockey and baseball, he became a fixture in the local sports scene. Now the local business owner has taken to molding young men, teaching them how to live away from their parents, get jobs, pay rent, and most importantly get an education. The VI Raiders are the only team in the CJFL to offer full scholarships to players at an accredited university. This season over 25 Raiders will attend VI University thanks to the Raiders scholarship fund, taking degree courses, as well as learning valuable trades. The Raider boss was also named Citizen of the Year at the 2009 Sterling Awards in Nanaimo, an award recognizing his efforts to make a difference, not only in the community, but in the lives of its citizens. So look for Hadi Abassi, dressed in team Canada colors, running the Olympic torch on October 31. Maybe he can get some hints from Andrew Harris.