Easah Suliman and Paul Elliott bag BEDSA awards

Monday 08 Feb 2016
England U17s and Aston Villa defender Easah Suliman
England's Easah Suliman and FA Inclusion Advisory Board Member Paul Elliott were among the winners at Saturday's British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awardat the Grovesnor Hotel in London. 

Suliman says winning is a confidence boost as he works towards his dream of making his Aston Villa debut.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who was part of England's U17s World Cup squad in Chile, was named 2016 Youth Sport Trust Young Sports Person of the Year landing the accolade ahead of gymnast Ellie Downie and long-jumper Shara Proctor.

"This feels unbelievable. This is such a great event and I am just so proud to win this award," the 18-year-old told Sky Sports' website.

"It's been a good few months for me after winning Young Player of the Year at the Asian Football Awards at Wembley Stadium last November. 

"These awards are nice, they are definitely a confidence boost but the important thing for me is to keep working hard and to concentrate on my football.

"This is just the start for me and hopefully it can help me achieve bigger and better things. 

"These awards and trophies are great but I want to play for Villa and win trophies on the pitch. That is what will give me the greatest satisfaction."

Suliman played every minute of England's U17 World Cup campaign in Chile last autumn and is the first player of Pakistani heritage to captain an England side.

He said: "Playing in the U17 World Cup with England last year was a great experience. I learnt so much there which puts me in good stead for the future.

"If I can keep playing well for Villa's U18s and ViIla's U21s then hopefully I can also keep progressing with England."

Paul Elliott, Chelsea's first black captain in the club's history back in 1992, was recognised with a special award by the University of Leicester. His board level work now focuses on challenging discrimination and promoting inclusion in the game.

"I'm humbled for my work to be recognised in this way," he said on receiving his award by MP Keith Vaz.

Backed by Sporting Equals, the BEDSAs celebrate the sporting achievements of Britain's Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities from grassroots through to the elite level.

Sports personalities at this year's event included IBF super-middleweight boxing champion James DeGale, former England defender Sol Campbell, and Chelsea Ladies and England forward Eni Aluko, who narrowly missed out on Sportswomen of the Year to Jessica Ennis-Hill.

For more info on the Awards, click here

By FA Staff