Over 700 people, Sikhs and non-Sikhs from every community, arrived at Wembley Stadium earlier this month as we hosted a Vaisakhi celebration in the latest of our award-winning series of ‘Faith and Football’ events.
Celebrated by Sikhs around the world each year, Vaisakhi marks the creation of the Khalsa in 1699 by tenth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
And this year’s event saw proceedings begin with a performance of Kirtan (religious hymns) by Priti Kaur and party before hosts Amber Sandhu (BBC / Sky Sports) and Amrit Singh Mann (Sky News) introduced a message from FA Chair Debbie Hewitt MBE and then FA head of diversity and inclusion strategic programmes Dal Singh Darroch added his welcome and message of football For All.
Guests were then treated to a number of showcases around Sikh participation in football, such as the Sikh Games and Sikh fan clubs across the game featuring Preetam Singh (Manchester United Stretford Sikhs), Harinder Singh (Liverpool FC), Manny Kang (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC) and Arvi Sahota (Leyton Orient Punjabi O's).
It was then over to four football clubs of Sikh origin to talk about how they're engaging communities through football - with Punjab United’s Karan Sanghera, Singh Sabha Slough’s Harpreet Singh Dhesi, Sporting Khalsa FC’s Jasbir Batt and Khalsa Football Academy’s Mavrick Singh all providing their perspectives.
Our hosts Amber and Amrit marked special milestones in the careers of professional players Mal Benning, who reached 400 career games in the EFL, and Kira Rai who reached over 100 professional appearances with her childhood club Derby County.
West Bromwich Albion Women’s Simran Jhamat also marked her second season as the first-team’s top goalscorer for the second successive season.
New Zealand international Sarpreet Singh also sent in a video outlining his career progress to date as he sets out to become the first player of South Asian heritage to ever feature in a FIFA World Cup should he represent New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Young players of tomorrow from across a range of clubs joined the stage – one such player Jeevna, a six-year-old England amputee player made her presence felt with the phrase "I’m not disabled, I’m differently abled!".
Former Southampton and Arsenal goalkeeper Aman Dosanj, who made history as the first British South Asian woman to represent England at any level, joined the stage to talk through her trailblazing career. The agile 15-year-old made a player-of-the-match performance on her international debut for the Young Lionesses against Republic of Ireland in 1999 and 26 years on, she remains the only South Asian woman to represent Arsenal in the top flight.
At pitchside, former England men's senior goalkeeper David James spoke to the guests before traditional Sikh prayers Chaupai Sahib took place and the Ardaas was performed by the Panj Pyare from Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall Gurdwara.
The evening ended with Langar (‘communal kitchen’) served by Midland Langar Seva Society, an organisation that strives to help those in need around the UK and internationally regardless of race, religion, and background.
Popular South Asian restaurant chain, Dishoom served chai tea throughout the evening and the Sikh Museum informed and educated guests in Wembley Stadium’s Bobby Moore Suite with the presence of the men’s and women’s senior FA Cups.
Wishing all Sikhs and wider communities, a very Happy Vaisakhi for 2025.
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