Kiyan Prince is remembered

Queens Park Rangers say they are dedicating their match against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday evening (25 November) to the slain teenager, Kiyan Prince, who would have been celebrating his 18th birthday on that day.

Kiyan, who played for Queens Park Rangers youth side, was stabbed to death outside the gates of his north London school in May 2006 when he was just 15 years old.

As a footballer, he was dubbed The Bullet because of his speed and was hailed as the next Wayne Rooney. The youngster was also tipped to play for England.

Tuesday night's fixture is also dedicated to the Kiyan Prince Foundation, run by Kiyan’s father Mark Prince, which works to raise awareness of gun and knife crime and to empower and re-educate young people.

QPR’s Football in the Community Manager, Andy Evans, told the Club’s website: “The enduring image associated with Kiyan is the picture of him in the QPR kit he so dearly loved.

“We will use Tuesday’s fixture to celebrate the life of Kiyan, who would have been celebrating his 18th birthday, as well as to highlight the excellent work Mark is doing in the local communities.”

The Foundation says it aims to focus on the root of the problems affecting young people today and to address the growing concerns of anti-social behaviour in society. The organisation deals with issues such as street safety, conflict management, gangs, postcode wars, knife-related crime, guns and drugs.

QPR says it is developing a long-term relationship with the Foundation and will invite Mark Prince to host several workshops for those taking part in the Kickz programme over the 2008-9 season.

In an open letter, Kiyan’s father says his family welcomes the celebration of his late son’s 18th birthday: “We are so pleased that this match is dedicated to him. This is a very difficult time for our family and all those who knew Kiyan.

“We will continue to honour him by helping to raise awareness about the consequences of knife crime in our community and engaging with young people to help change their lives for the better through the Kiyan Prince Foundation. 

“QPR nurtured Kiyan’s natural talent and he excelled under their tutelage, becoming a top striker in their youth team. We are ever so grateful to the QPR fans for their support and generosity since Kiyan’s death – we simply cannot reach our goals without you. I’m sure everyone has realised that this is a problem that affects all our children.”

Kiyan Prince, born on 25th November 1990, was Mark Prince and Tracy Cumberbatch’s eldest son.

He was stabbed in the heart with a penknife by the then-16-year-old Hannad Hasan when he intervened in a play fight outside the London Academy School in Edgware, north London, in May 2006.

Hasan was found guilty of the murder in July 2007 and was given a life sentence.

25 November 2008