A young Abbotsford football player made a big impression at BC Place on Saturday.
Nine-year-old Jaiden Sharma took home top prize in the Atom division for the punt, pass and kick competition as part of the BC Lions Salute to Amateur Football night.
The event gives athletes the opportunity to show off their individual skills in the sport, with their punting, passing and kicking totals added up to arrive at a total score.
Sharma was the top player for his age group in the local competition to have the opportunity to represent his district at BC Place. He took on representatives from 11 other districts on Saturday and emerged as the top competitor. He combined for a total of 179 feet, seven inches in the three events.
The Grade 4 student at Auguston Traditional Elementary plays running back for the Abbotsford Falcons Black at the Atom level in the Valley Community Football League. He has participated in the sport for the last two years.
Sharma received a trophy for his efforts, tickets to the Lions game against the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday, and the chance to meet Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian.