ONE year ago he had the world at his feet thanks to his amazing footballing skills and tricks.

So Newport man Abbas Farid took his freestyle skills around the world to teach others how to do it.

Now Abbas is back and wants to teach youngsters in this country how to perform the nifty tricks that made him famous.

Abbas, 20, won the Nike UK Freestyle championships last July, and spent much of the last year taking part in other tournaments across the world.

First was Malaysia - where he was so good they wouldn't let him perform - then Singapore, Italy, Holland and Ireland.

"It's been an amazing year," said Abbas. "In the Far East I wanted to show them what I could do and they were shocked. They had never seen anything like it before.

"They have a passion for football out there, and their guys are going to be just as good as us in the next couple of years."

Abbas was also seen in two videos for Asian rap group Ritchie Rich, in which he showed off his ball skills.

"The Ritchie Rich crew wanted people to represent Asian talent in their video for the track Dance With You and they asked if I wanted to be involved.

"Then they asked me back for their track Eyes on You."

The Newport ball-juggler was also nominated for a gong at the Sony TV Asia Sports Personality of the Year Awards, as well as performing at carnivals and holiday camps in Britain.

Now Abbas hopes to take his skills into schools in a business venture with friends from Hong Kong, former professional footballers Shakeel and Shabir Ahmed.

"I never had coaching when I was young so I had to learn it all myself," said Abbas. "I want to give kids the chances and opportunities I never had and promote football.

"Not just the tricks but all the on-field stuff too. If I see hunger and talent in the kids I want to foster that."

But he also has his sights set on a bigger goal - premiership football. "To play top-flight football is my number one dream. I'm going to work at that, but until then I want to share my skills with others."