We are delighted to have won the Inclusion Project Award at the Asian Football Awards, held at Wembley Stadium this week.
The award reflects our ‘Faith and Football’ programme and wider South Asian inclusion work on a night where inspirational South Asian individuals including players, community leaders and rising stars and their vital contributions at every level of the game were showcased.
Our Faith and Football series has bought together many thousands of people from all walks of life across the country’s major religions. In recent years, we have marked events including Ramadan (Islam), Chanukah (Judaism), Vaisakhi (Sikhism), Christmas (Christianity), Diwali (Hinduism) and Buddha Day (Buddhism) at Wembley Stadium and across the country allowing worshippers to practice their faith whilst connecting to the game they love. Our faith series is now an established programme and is known for its pitch-side worship on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium featuring many prominent religious leaders. Our faith events have also featured many well-known players of faith, community groups, players, coaches, referees, volunteers and stakeholders from all faith groups and communities.
Other standout winners on the night included Yan Dhanda (Hearts) and Hamza Choudhury (Leicester City), who were joint recipients of the Men’s Player Award, recognising their impressive performances at the highest levels of football.
Kira Rai (Derby County Women’s FC) was honoured with the Women’s Player Award for her outstanding contributions to the game after recently reaching an unprecedented 100th game at the club. The Young Player (U23) Award went to Zidane Iqbal (FC Utrecht), an emerging star proving his potential in the Netherlands. Additionally, Shadab Iftikhar (Wigan Athletic) was celebrated with the Professional Coach Award, highlighting his work in coaching and development.
The evening highlighted the growing impact of South Asians in football and served as a powerful reminder of the talent emerging from these communities.
Dal Singh Darroch, our Head of Diversity and Inclusion, said:
"Our faith and football series has grown significantly over the last few years. To see many thousands of people engage with football through their faith and to witness worship pitch-side at Wembley stadium has become iconic. Our faith work has created deeper connections and dialogue with faith communities who have then gone on to embrace football and participate in our game in so many different ways. It’s been truly remarkable. Well done to all of the team and the many stakeholders that work with us on this important programme – a testament to all of their hard work!"
Many of the award recipients at the event have featured in our ‘Football and Me’ series highlighting South Asian talent across the game. To learn more see https://www.thefa.com/inclusion-and-anti-discrimination/asian-inclusion/football-and-me.
