Awards recognise Asian football talent

Cardiff City striker Michael Chopra is one of several football personalities from across the game being recognised at the tenth annual British Asian Sport Awards in London on Saturday 5 March.

Organised by the Sony Entertainment Television Network, the awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of British Asian sporting talent from across the UK.

Chopra, a former England Under-21 international, is a contender in the British Sport Personality of the Year category alongside up-and-coming motor racing driver Luciano Bacheta and pool champion Raj Hundal.

Leyton Orient youngster A’aamer Kstantin Murphy is a contender for U15 Young Sports Personality of the Year while Raajan Singh Gill has been nominated in the same category for U18s.

Murphy came to prominence when he won Chelsea’s 'Search For An Asian Soccer Star' before signing a schoolboy contract with Orient last year, while Gill has been making waves in the Leicester City reserve side this season after impressing in the club’s renowned Academy setup.

Two more professional Asian footballers have been nominated for this year’s awards too, with Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Danny Tanveer Batth and Bury FC’s Krishnan Patel recognised in the 'Up And Coming Sports Personality Of The Year' category.

Batth made his Molineux debut for Wolves in the 2-1 win over Southend United in the League Cup earlier this season, after previously being on loan at League One outfit Colchester United last year.

Having captained the youth team, Patel has come through the ranks at Gigg Lane and played against West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup last season.

Two Asian football coaches are also being recognised at the awards on Saturday as well, with both Baljinder Singh and Rikin Shah shortlisted in the 'Outstanding Achievement' category.

Singh is the country’s most decorated Asian football coach and has run several community projects in Hertfordshire, including a local football session with coaches from La Liga side Valencia while Rikin Shah has overcome his physical disability to become a UEFA Level B football coach and a Sport Science graduate from Brunel University.