In the reception area of Bukayo Saka\u2019s old school, brightly-coloured pennants representing the competing nations in Euro 2020 have not yet been taken down. And last week, the 450 pupils at Edward Betham Church of England primary had one final euro-related task to complete. \u201cWe\u2019ve been making a card to send to Bukayo,\u201d said school head Caroline Chamberlain.<\/p>\n
\u201cA4 size with 15 sheets \u2013 one for each class. They\u2019ve written to say how much he has inspired them and what a wonderful example he is setting. So many of our pupils have shared their disgust with us at the abuse England footballers had. They cannot understand the behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n
England\u2019s newest football hero maintains close links with the school on the outskirts of west London. Saka has previously donated a signed Arsenal shirt, which takes pride of place on the school\u2019s \u201cachievement wall\u201d. A letter he sent to thank former teachers has been proudly framed. And for a school which actively promotes a Christian ethos, it would be hard to think of a better role model.<\/p>\n
Like Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, his England teammates, Saka wears his faith on his sleeve. Until he moved with his family two years ago, to be closer to Arsenal\u2019s training facilities, he attended the Pentecostal Kingsborough Centre in Uxbridge. On winning the young London player of the year award this year, he tweeted \u201cGod\u2019s Work\u201d, making clear where he believed the credit for his starring performances truly lay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the way Bukayo speaks with such passion about his beliefs\u201d, says Chamberlain, a churchgoing Anglican. \u201cIn days gone by you wouldn\u2019t hear so much about people being practising Christians or practising Muslims. It seemed that famous people in particular didn\u2019t really talk about their faith. I remember Alastair Campbell\u2019s \u2018we don\u2019t do God\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n God-given talent: Saka, Rashford and Sterling blaze a trail for black British Christians https:\/\/t.co\/Dsm0spR0ob<\/a><\/p>\n — The Guardian (@guardian) July 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n