12/05/2026
Hartlepool will once again come together in celebration of community, charity, and football as the Syed Taalay Ahmed Memorial Shield Tournament 2026 takes place at High Tunstall College of Science - the school where Taalay himself studied.
Organised by MKA UK, the annual tournament honours the life and legacy of Syed Taalay Ahmed, a Hartlepool-born journalist, humanitarian, and devoted member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who tragically lost his life in Ghana in 2021 while working on a humanitarian project.
Now entering its fourth year, the tournament has grown into a major community fundraising event, bringing together teams, families, and supporters from across the UK in the spirit of faith, football, and unity.
Since 2023, the tournament has raised more than ยฃ13,000 for charitable causes including the Syed Taalay Ahmed Scholarship, YMCA, and Humanity First.
This year, funds raised will support three important causes:
- Syed Taalay Ahmed Scholarship โ supporting underprivileged young people in Ghana to access education and fulfil their potential.
- Alice House Hospice โ providing compassionate care and support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Hartlepool and surrounding areas.
- Hartlepool Baby Bank โ supporting local families by providing essential items for babies and young children.
Alice House Hospice and Hartlepool Baby Bank have also been selected as the official charities of the Hartlepool Mayor for 2026, making this yearโs fundraising efforts especially significant for the local community.
The 2026 tournament marks a particularly meaningful milestone as the event returns to Hartlepool and to High Tunstall College of Science, where Taalay spent part of his school years.
The event will feature competitive football matches, community engagement activities, fundraising initiatives, and tributes celebrating Taalayโs life and impact both locally and internationally.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend, support the fundraising campaign, and help continue a legacy built on compassion, service, and unity.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to donate, please visit the official fundraising page:
https://www.justgiving.com/team/syedtaalay2026
