The Asian Football Awards honour and celebrate South Asian achievement across the game. This year’s ceremony saw 15 awards presented on the night, as 400 guests from football, media, business and the South Asian community gathered at The Clementine, Syon Park on 29 September, to mark the occasion.
Among the winners were Leicester Nirvana FC, receiving the Community Club Award for their extensive work in promoting inclusion within the club and community. The award was presented to the club on stage by The FA’s Sharon Muxworthy (EDI Lead Women’s Game) and Anwar Uddin (Senior Diversity and Inclusion Manager).
Elsewhere, Abid Hussain won the Match Official Award, Mo Matadar received a Special Recognition Award for Services to Officiating, and Mal Benning won the South Asian Pioneer Award in recognition of his professional career spanning over 500 senior appearances.
Dal Darroch, Head of Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Programmes at The FA, said: "The Asian Football Awards are important because they shine a light on the talent, contribution and achievement of the South Asian community in football and they remind us how far the game has come. To see so many players, coaches, referees, clubs and wider programmes recognised demonstrates that South Asians have a place in football too.
"Our congratulations go to each of the award winners, all of which play a pivotal role in improving representation of South Asians in football."
Baljit Rihal, Founder of the Asian Football Awards, said: "When we launched the awards in 2012, there was pushback and there were closed doors. We wanted to shine a light on people whose achievements were not being seen and give the next generation role models they could identify with.
"To see around 400 people from the South Asian community, football, media and business together in one room, with such strong support from the authorities and organisations across the game, was a real joy. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and one with real purpose."
The full list of winners can be seen below.
- Community Club Award, sponsored by The FA: Leicester Nirvana FC
- Grassroots Award: Jas Singh (Khalsa Youth Club Leicester)
- Match Official Award: Abid Hussain
- Community Cohesion & Inclusion Award: Get Involved, Palace for Life
- Women’s Young Player Award: Layla Banaras (Lewes FC / Pakistan)
- Non-League Player Award: Kam Kandola (Hereford FC)
- Media Award: Miriam Walker-Khan
- Inspiration Award: Micky Singh (Blues 4 All, Birmingham)
- Men’s Young Player Award: Brandon Khela (Peterborough United)
- Coach Award: Nimesh Patel
- Women’s Player Award: Mariam Mahmood (Wrexham AFC Women / Pakistan)
- Special Recognition Award – Services to Officiating: Mo Matadar
- Men’s Player Award: Zidane Iqbal
- Fan Group Award: Punjabi Wolves
- South Asian Pioneer Award: Mal Benning
For further information on the awards, and winners, visit asianfootballawards.com
To learn more about our work across South Asian communities, please click here
