Mark Prince, the father of Kiyan Prince, a young footballer tragically murdered, expressed his wish to meet his son’s killer in a bid to facilitate a fresh start for the perpetrator. Mark was scheduled to visit Hannad Hasan in prison, where Hasan was serving a life sentence for fatally stabbing Kiyan, a 15-year-old player for Queens Park Rangers’ youth team. Unfortunately, the meeting was canceled abruptly by prison authorities, and Hasan was subsequently extradited to Somalia.
Kiyan lost his life while trying to intervene in a confrontation outside his school in North London back in May 2006. Since then, Mark Prince, a former boxing champion, has dedicated his efforts to The Kiyan Prince Foundation, which mentors young individuals through boxing.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of his son’s untimely death, Mark is launching a new initiative called The Champions’ Club, advocating for increased investment in youth services nationwide. Mark shared with the Daily Mirror his sentiment of wanting to engage with his son’s killer, highlighting the importance of love and forgiveness in his approach.
The Kiyan Prince Foundation, based in North London, has positively impacted over 100,000 young people across England and Wales, with a significant percentage expressing motivation to make positive changes in their lives through the Foundation’s programs.
Mark Prince, a recipient of the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event in 2024 for his commitment to supporting at-risk youth, emphasized the Foundation’s focus on nurturing young people’s potential and creating opportunities for them to succeed. A recent study conducted by the Foundation and Savanta revealed a lack of optimism among British youth about their future prospects.
Calling for increased governmental support for young individuals feeling disillusioned by societal challenges, Mark emphasized the need for more investment in youth services. The Kiyan Prince Foundation highlighted the critical role of youth clubs in providing structure, safety, and community for youngsters, emphasizing the importance of consistent funding to prevent youth from turning to negative influences.
In a bid to raise funds and advocate for more youth clubs in the UK, individuals can donate £20 to the Kiyan Prince Foundation by texting CHAMPIONSCLUB to 70490. The Foundation’s mission aligns with efforts to empower young people and create a supportive environment for their growth and development.