A football tournament held in the memory of a ‘one in a billion’ murder victim from Banbury has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Family and friends of 21-year-old Hashim Ijazuddin, who was killed when his car was run off the road in Leicestershire in 2022, brought together 18 teams from around the country for a football tournament last weekend.

And while the knock-out final at his alma mater Wykham Park Academy was won by Birmingham side West Bank FC rather than Banbury challengers Young Gunz, Hashim’s brother Mohammed Hussain said his older sibling would not have minded one bit.

“We know Hashim would have loved it,” Mohammed, 20, said of the football tournament. “Even the Birmingham team winning."

Oxford Mail: Mohammed Hashim Asadullah Ijjazudin, to whom tributes have been paidMohammed Hashim Asadullah Ijjazudin, to whom tributes have been paid (Image: Asad Hussain)

Mohammed, who lives in Banbury, said of Hashim: “He was one in a million,” before correcting himself.

“He was one in a billion, if anything. One in a billion.

“His character, his personality was second to none. He could come into a dull, quiet room and make the whole room electric.

“The main focus would have been him.

“He was the guy making sure everyone was comfortable, he would never leave anyone out.

“The things we’re doing now it’s all in memory of him we’re just trying to take a leave out of his book and inspire people, get people together the way he made people get together.”

Oxford Mail: Players for Hashim United on the field at Wykham Park Academy Picture: Mohammed Hussain

Hashim’s ‘motto’ had been ‘if I make them smile or laugh that’s the job done for the day’.

“All we want to do is put a small on someone’s face,” Mohammed said.

A team comprised of Hashim’s friends and family, called Hashim United, was among the 18 sides to take part in the tournament.

Already, the football festival has raised more than £3,000 towards Banbury charity Al Medina 313’s £50,000 appeal to build an accessible swing for disabled children.

“It was fantastic, it was absolutely great. Everyone was buzzing,” Mohammed said of the tournament. The cause was particularly important, he said, with the hope that the money raised could help ‘bring joy’ to children’s lives.

Earlier this month, seven people were convicted of their part in the murder of Saqib Hussain and Hashim Ijazuddin in February 2022.

Oxford Mail: Mohammed Hussain and Zain Mohammed, Hashim's brothers, at the tournament in his memory Picture: Mohammed HussainMohammed Hussain and Zain Mohammed, Hashim's brothers, at the tournament in his memory Picture: Mohammed Hussain (Image: Mohammed Hussain)

They included TikTok influencer Mahek Bukhari, 24, and her mother, 46-year-old Ansreen, with whom Mr Hussain had been having an affair and which he threatened to reveal.

Speaking after the verdict was delivered, Hashim's family said in a statement: “Everyone who knew Hashim loved him. His death is not just a massive loss to our family but also to our whole community.

Mohammed told the Oxford Mail that the family was very happy with the verdict and they had put their trust in God.

To donate to the Hashim United accessibility swing fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/mhiaccessiblityswing.