But the Soho Square event also showcased a range of Asians in Football projects which will hopefully give talented youngsters a route into the academies of professional clubs over the next few years.

Butch Fazal is chairman of the Asian Football Forum and head coach at Luton United which is an FA Charter Standard youth football club with a high percentage of Asian players on their books.

“Over 25% of Luton’s population is made up of BME (Black and Minority Ethnics) communities and football is definitely a popular game for Asian youngsters in the area,” confirmed Fazal.

“Modern day Asian parents are also willing to get involved, which wasn’t the case a few years ago, and we get plenty of help in driving the kids to away games or putting up the nets on a Sunday morning.”

Fazal believes that the England squad are also serving as role models for local Asian communities: “This season’s pre-season training saw a lot of our youngsters wearing England shirts and I can’t recall that happening on such a large scale in the past.

“It certainly shows that the new generation of Asian youngsters are starting to identify with the players they see on TV regularly.”

Luton United have also opened their doors to role models away from football as well with England spin king, Monty Panesar, helping out at the club: “Monty is from the local area and it’s great when he pops down to training and games because he’s reached the top of his profession which shows what can be achieved". 


The club, which started life as Luton Asians FC almost a decade ago, have already impressed Luton Town with their set-up and one talented youngster has already had a successful trial at the Kenilworth Road club.

But Fazal admitted that a lack of communication could be holding back other Asian youngsters around the country: “The FA have recognised that grassroots clubs need decent facilities but there’s a lack of information in Asian communities on how to access funding.

“If we could get past those barriers, then we could get more Asian kids playing the game and hopefully a breakthrough at senior level.”

Luton United weren’t the only Asian grassroots football organisation in the spotlight with both the Asian Football Network, Khalsa Football Academy and the Muslim Women Sports Foundation also presenting at the Ethnic Minority Media Day.

The AFN’s Kuljit Randhawa has been working with the Essex FA on Level One courses for Asian females while the Muslim Women Sports Foundation will be representing the country at next year’s Islamic Games futsal tournament.

Ayesha Abdeen is a volunteer for the MWSF: “Participation rates in sport amongst Muslim women is traditionally poor, which means figures for the likes of obesity and diabetes are rising.

“But our futsal sessions are making an impact in the local community and it would be great if we could access further funding to take it further.”

Khalsa Football Academy’s Bal Singh is one of the most decorated Asian football coaches in the country, having worked his way through the ranks to Level Three standard.

The KFA is linked to Southern Football League side, Hitchin Town, and Singh believes that Asian players must not be isolated from the mainstream game: “If we want to give our youngsters a chance to make it in professional football, then integration is key for both progression and participation.”

Khalsa have also been doing their bit for international relations with Singh overseeing coaching trips to AC Milan plus anti-racism events in Spain.