Heart Over Hardware: Raheem Nu’Man Proves Greatness Has Many Arenas

Dreams don’t always announce where they begin. Sometimes, they take shape on a football field. Other times, quietly, inside a classroom. For young Raheem Nu’Man determination runs through both worlds, from chasing goals on the pitch to mastering words one letter at a time. Last year, his dedication carried him to the top of the Anglican Schools Spelling Bee Competition. This year, he returned to the same venue, not to compete, but to encourage, reminding everyone watching that success is not only about winning, but about heart.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Meet ten-year-old Raheem Nu’Man. Outside the classroom, he’s chasing a different kind of dream. He’s an aspiring professional athlete, spending his free time honing his skills and looking up to soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as his ultimate inspiration. But step through the gates of All Saints Anglican Primary School, and you’ll find a different kind of star; Raheem, the school’s spelling bee champion, confidently spelling his way to the top. In 2025, he was the Anglican School Spelling Bee Champion.

 

Raheem Nu’Man, Student, All Saints Primary School

“It was very nice and very challenging but in the end it was very nice.”

 

Today, Nu’Man is back at the spelling bee competition, but this time not as a competitor. Accompanied by his father, Saleem Nu’Man, Raheem is supporting this year’s participants.

 

Raheem Nu’Man

“The benefit of it is that you get to learn new and challenging words and helps you to know better words.”

 

Raheem’s childhood is marked by athleticism, academics and altruism. Raheem’s dad was shocked by his son’s response after the 2025 victory.

 

Saleem Nu’Man, Father

“Honestly he told me that he felt bad for the ones that did not win, that really caught me off guard. He felt bad winning, being the champion, the level of empathy.”

 

Watching on, Raheem reminisced on his own preparation to compete a year ago. He reflected on the challenges and success.

 

Raheem Nu’Man

“For me I personally studied every few days, for an hour or two, studying one hundred words every day. The most challenging part about studying is that everyday after school is that it was stressful and you have to do it everyday and it was just very nerve wrecking.”

 

Saleem Nu’man

“It has been a dream of him from infant one, infant two, he always wanted to go into spelling bee. So, going through the years when he told me he was entering I was not surprised.”

 

A dream years in the making came true as Raheem held his first-place certificate and trophies high on stage. It’s the moment every competitor dreams of, and one General Manager Jeremy Cayetano hopes to inspire in every student through the competition.

 

Jeremy Cayetano, General Manager, Anglican Primary Schools

“We know it is important for children to know how to spell especially in this time in 2026 where text language is very prevalent.”

 

With one goal achieved, Raheem is now setting out to realize others.

 

Raheem Nu’Man

“Well, me personally I would like to be a football player and a police officer. I like the law and sports.”
 

Whether spelling complex words, chasing a football, or imagining a future in service, his journey reflects the quiet power of commitment and character. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Jair Gordon of Saint Andrews Anglican in the Cayo District won first place in today’s competition.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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