Two of Bradford's brightest sports stars have been shortlisted for Sony Asia Television's Sports Personality of the Year Awards - while they are both still at primary school.

Thahmina Miah, ten, and Hanif Hussain, eight, both attend Springwood Primary School in Manningham and it was here that their aptitudes for running and football were discovered.

Hanif's dad Khalil Hussain, who is a learning mentor at the school, said he was delighted that they had been shortlisted for the young personality of the year.

Both children will be travelling to London on Saturday, February 3, to attend the showbiz event alongside sports stars such as boxer Amir Khan.

Thahmina, who is a successful sprinter, said she was looking forward to the trip.

"I just like to run every day and I have been improving each year," she said. "I am really pleased to be nominated because this is the first time that this has happened to me - and I am looking forward to going to London."

Hanif, who is the school's top scorer, has already been training with Scunthorpe United and is starting a six-week trial with Bradford City. He said: "I am really excited to be going down to London to the awards ceremony."

If he wins, Hanif plans to celebrate in a way normally reserved for the football pitch.

"I love to score goals and when I score I celebrate by pointing to my name and number on the back of my shirt," he said.

The children were nominated by Bradford City under 11s' coach Pav Singh and former international rugby league star Ikram Butt.

"It's a wonderful evening for anyone that is nominated and a great opportunity to showcase your talents," said Mr Butt.

"And it's great for Bradford to have two young people nominated who can dispel the myths that Asian athletes are not fulfilling their potential."

Mr Singh, who is also a community football and physical development officer for Bradford Council, has been shortlisted for the coach of the year award.

He is particularly pleased to see Hanif nominated as part of his work is about giving young people from hard-to-reach groups an opportunity to get their footballing talents into the mainstream.

The awards will be decided by viewers of Sony TV in a phone vote.

e-mail: sunita.bhatti@bradford.newsquest.co.uk