Abdirisak bids for gold after Glasgow second

The Abbeydale Grange High School pupil suffered heartache in last year's 3000m final in Glasgow finishing second with a time of 8minutes 40seconds.

But the 16-year-old who finished sixth in the Norwich Union Grand Prix at Crystal Palace earlier this month admitted he is relishing his favourite tag at Coventry.

"I want to get gold and I am confident I will," he said. "Last year the person who came first was the favourite but this year I am the favourite and everyone will want to beat me.

"But I don't think there is any added pressure because of that – in fact it gives me confidence and respect it and makes me hungrier to win.

"It is unlike any other national event because you are competing against people from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

"At Crystal Palace it was just running – going there for times and performances but at the UK School Games it is about bagging medals.

"My aim is to keep going until the 2012 Olympics running in front of a big home crowd - it is very achievable."

Another Sheffield youngster with an eye on a podium finish is table tennis star Melissa Wright.

And the 15-year-old Silverdale School pupil aims to finish her season with a podium spot in the Midlands.

She said: "This is the last event before the season ends so I am looking to bow out on a high.

"I am definitely looking for a medal in the team event and I would like to get into the quarter final or further in the singles.

"I am quite young as it is an under-18 age group but I know if I plat well I can beat them and to beat someone a lot older than you and take them to five sets is a really satisfying feeling."

The

Big Lottery Fund, which has an 850 million track record in funding grassroots sport, is supporting the UK School Games.