A Life Full of Love and Purpose
For Imran Amjad, the memories of his daughter Uqasha Imran are filled with the vibrant energy of a young woman whose life was tragically cut short. “She was a picture of loving, caring, giving — an absolute package of that,” he said. However, what many people may not know is the profound impact she had on the lives of many young Canberrans through sports.
Uqasha was deeply involved in sports, mentoring and training others, making it a central part of her life. Her passion for sports extended beyond personal achievement; it was a way for her to uplift and inspire those around her.
A Tragic Accident and a Family’s Grief
In March 2025, Ms. Imran suffered catastrophic injuries after a bus failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into her while she was riding a motorcycle. The 22-year-old succumbed to a traumatic brain injury three days later. The bus driver later pleaded guilty to negligent driving causing death.
Outside court last year, Mr. Amjad expressed the deep void left in their family life. “The void in our family life will never be filled,” he said. In the wake of this tragedy, the family channeled their grief into honoring Uqasha’s memory, guided by her clear wishes, even at a young age.
A Final Wish Fulfilled
Ms. Imran was training in Taekwondo before her death. “She was a second-degree black belt at the time of the accident. She was training for her third-degree black belt, literally a few weeks out of that,” Mr. Amjad shared. In recognition of her dedication, her taekwondo club awarded her a third-degree black belt posthumously.
Beyond her own achievements, Uqasha also devoted time to helping others, training younger athletes. Her generosity led her to express a wish to have her organs donated upon her death. “Uqasha had spoken to us a few days before that because we were planning on taking a trip and she said she wanted to sort out things,” Mr. Amjad recalled. Though life did not grant her the opportunity, the family honored her intention.
Three days after the crash, her wish was fulfilled, bringing comfort to the family. “That is where we get the courage from, how she struggled and clung on to life on the way to help four more lives,” Mr. Amjad said. This act of kindness inspired the family and friends to carry forward Uqasha’s hope.
Passion for Sports Passed On
This weekend, the family launched the Uqasha Imran Foundation, aiming to help young people access sport by removing financial and logistical barriers. “I’m very proud of the Canberran community who have come around us to make this a possibility,” Mr. Amjad said. The foundation offers grants, sports equipment, and training sessions to ensure no child misses out on what they deserve.
The foundation is not limited to martial arts but includes any sport. “The purpose is to help the young kids, the young athletes, depending on their circumstances, not which sport they are in,” Mr. Amjad explained. Already, the foundation has helped five students in various aspects of their training and competitions.
Raising Awareness of Organ Donation
In addition to promoting sports, the family aims to raise awareness about organ donation. Mr. Amjad noted that Australia lags in registered organ donors. “The message is very simple. You can be on the register. Your next of kin at the time will still have the option to make that decision whether they do or not,” he said. “But please have your intention known, have your heart open for generosity to help a number of other lives.”
DonateLife ACT donation specialist nursing coordinator Jean-Christophe Chatelin highlighted the importance of organ donation as a way to make sense of loss. Currently, 35% of the population is registered, with 27% in the ACT. Support and resources are available at hospitals in Canberra for those considering organ donation, including interpreters for non-English speakers.
The Beauty of Organ Donation
The family has since learned more about Uqasha’s generosity in her death. “The beauty of organ donation is when a couple of months ago we received a letter from one of the recipients,” Mr. Amjad shared. Knowing how well the recipients are doing brings immense comfort. “Getting those stories back and being able to, obviously with legal barriers around it, to communicate with those recipients back and forth, it is amazing. It’s like I’m still talking to my Uqasha.”
