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This article was published 20/12/2019 (282 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BORN half a world away in the Republic of Djibouti, until recently, 11-year-old Barack Hassan had never heard of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, let alone the Grey Cup.

On Thursday, at a Christmas party in the 66-unit downtown housing complex operated by the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, Hassan got to hold Canada’s highest pro football award, alongside Bombers linebacker Thomas Miles.

Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press Sharif Atom poses with the Grey Cup and Winnipeg Blue Bombers Linebacker, Thomas Miles at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba Thursday.

"I was nervous and happy," Hassan said. He was all smiles after holding the CFL championship trophy, and getting his photo taken with Miles. Plus, he received an autograph.

"It is hard to explain how I feel. I was just excited and surprised. Yesterday, I learned a Blue Bomber would come and I just learned right now about this (Grey Cup). I’m so happy."

Nearby, eight-year-old Sharrifa Atom, with her 12-year-old brother Ameer, and mother Hafsa, were preparing to hold the Grey Cup.

"It is exciting," said Sharrifa, who was born in Tanzania.

Sharrifa’s mother said she didn’t realize how big a deal the Grey Cup was until she happened to be downtown a couple of weeks ago — and suddenly there was a parade on Portage Avenue filled with Blue Bombers players, staff, the Grey Cup, and thousands of Winnipeggers.

"It was very good. Everyone around the parade was happy," she said. "I took my time downtown to watch it, and now the trophy is here. I have to carry it."

Refaeel Tarnn, 11, said now that he has seen the Grey Cup, he hopes to see a football game in person.

"I saw it on TV and now I see it here," he said. "I like football — but I like soccer the same."

Miles, who was born and raised in Winnipeg, played football at Churchill High School and the University of Manitoba. He sits on the IRCOM board. He said he’s thrilled to help create the next generation of Bombers fans among first-generation Canadians.

Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press Barack Hassan gets excited as the Grey Cup makes it’s way to the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba Thursday evening.

"This is so special," he said, as the crowd of more than 100 children and adults surged around the hallway where he and the Grey Cup were stationed.

"This is such a wonderful community. The connecting between them and the Bombers is special. It is one I’m hoping to grow."

Miles said already 30 of the children in IRCOM’s after-school program have been treated to a Bombers game, and he’s hoping to have more there next season.

"They’re fabulous Bomber fans and some of them could be future Bomber players."

Mathew Joseph of IRCOM said he felt great looking at all the smiles and hearing all the laughter.

"These are people who usually never get a chance to get to a football game, and never had a chance to see the Grey Cup before, but now they have seen it," Joseph said.

"Now, they will have long term lasting memories and they will be the next generation of fans.

"This is what integration is about."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca