The AFA has been launched to recognise the great contribution to both the professional game and grassroots initiatives by individuals and groups across the UK with South Asian heritage. The FA and Kick It Out are supporting this landmark initiative.
The events primary objective is to create an awareness of the positive efforts made by Asians within the UK football industry. It also aims to engage with organisations and individuals to help increase Asian participation levels in the UK.
The AFA are proud to announce that Sporting Equals are to be the Legacy Partner for the 2012 event. There has been tremendous support since the announcement of the awards last November that the organisers have decided that all profits will be used for legacy projects and future bursary disbursements for young elite Asian players.
Some of the AFA nominations include: Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town), Danny Batth (Wolves FC/Sheff Wed), Dr Zaf Iqbal(Liverpool FC), Manish Bhasin (BBC), The Zesh Rehman Foundation, Anwar Uddin (Barnet FC), Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador), Chelsea Asian Soccer Star, Javed Khan (Premier League),Tony Fernandes and Lakshmi Mittal (QPR FC).
David Bernstein, FA Chairman: “The FA is committed to diversity and inclusion across all areas of the game and I'm delighted that the Asian football community are celebrating their achievements at Wembley Stadium.”
Baljit Rihal, Co-Founder Asian Football Awards: "We have received hundreds of inspiring nominations from across the country. It is such a pleasure to know that so many Asians are involved and passionate about the game of football. We hope that the Asian Football Awards can play a part by recognising great individuals, organisations and initiatives."
"Our vision has always been to support the growth of Asians in UK football. Since we announced the event last year, the media attention and support from all across the industry has been phenomenal. I can proudly say that the Asian Football Awards will most definitely encourage more Asians to get involved in every aspect of the game."
Arun Kang, CEO Sporting Equals: “Sporting Equals are delighted to be the legacy partner of the Asian Football Awards and believe that our Talent ID Programme, will provide real opportunities for talented young people to be exposed to high performance coaching, developing their skills and encourage more diversity in professional football.
We believe our partnership with the AFA can both deliver a meaningful legacy and continue to support our wider work. Sporting Equals welcomes and recognises the importance of celebrating the achievements of Asians in football, looks forward to the AFA becoming a key annual event for the future, and working with them and other partners to facilitate change.”
Shalin Patel, Head of UK Marketing, Sony Entertainment Network “As an organisation, we have always had a close association with raising the profile of sport in the British Asian community and the Asian Football Awards are an exciting initiative which we are proud to associate with and help build support for. Good luck
to everyone involved."
For further information or tickets please contact Initiate Sports
Email: afa@initiatesports.com Call: +44(0) 8456 805 325
www.asianfootballawards.co.uk
• The 14 Award Categories are:
o Footballer of the Year
o Young Player of the Year
o Coach of the Year
o Asian Woman in Football Award
o Football Development Project of the Year
o Foundation of the Year
o Behind the Scenes Award - Medical
o Behind the Scenes - Football Administration
o Investors in Football
o Grass Roots Heroes
o Football Media Award
o Asian Community Club of the Year
o Inspiration Award
o Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominations Shortlist:
Player of the Year
Michael Chopra (Ipswich Town)
Zesh Rehman (Kitchee SC – Hong Kong)
Anwar Uddin (Barnet FC)
Indy Aujla (RRFC Montegnee - Belgium)
Netan Sansara (Paeek FC - Cyprus)
Coach of the year
Nas Bashir (Hayes & Yeading FC, FAB Academy)
Bal Singh (Khalsa Football Academy)
Taff Islam (ProTouch and Arsenal)
Chris Dolby (Barnsley FC)
Nilio Bagga – Samba Soccer Schools
Asian Woman in Football
Vanisha Patel - Charlton Women FC
Rimla Akhtar - Muslim Women's Sports Foundation
Sophia Rashid – Women United AFC
Priti Trivedi (Scottish Premier League)
Sangi Patel (QPR)
Young Player of the year
Danny Batth (Wolves)
Adil Nabi (WBA)
Jasbir Singh – (Solihull Moors)
Aaron Singh Sekhon (Partick Thistle)
Malvind Singh Benning (Walsall)
Football Development Project of the Year
Chelsea Asian Soccer Star
QPR – Player Development Centre
Samba Soccer Schools
Young Asian Voices - Sunderland
Diversity Academy – Nottingham
Football Foundation of the Year
Zesh Rehman Foundation
Punjabi Wolves
Muslim Women's Sports Foundation
Osmani Trust
London Tigers
Investors in Football
Lakshmi Mittal and Tony Fernandes (QPR)
Venkatesh and Balaji Rao (Blackburn)
Shahid Azeem (Aldershot FC)
Ilyas Khan (Accrington Stanley)
Football Behind the Scenes Award - 'Administration'
Priti Trivedi – (SPL)
Raj Athwal – (Watford FC)
Ravi Masih (Aston Villa FC)
Sunil Kaikini (Premier League)
Javed Khan (Premier League)
Football Behind the Scenes Award - 'Medical'
Sangi Patel (QPR)
Dr Zaf Iqbal (Liverpool)
Jazz Sodhi (Wolves)
Dr. Ansar Zaman (Wigan FC)
Poora Singh (Birmingham FC)
Football Media award
Manish Bhasin (BBC)
Mayur Bhanji (World Sport Group)
Vaishali Bhardwaj
Karthi Gnanasegaram (BBC)
Rajvir Rai (The Daily Telegraph)
Grass Roots Heroes
Ash Rahman (ProTouch)
Bal Singh - (KFA)
Butch Fazal (Luton AFC)
Karl Sanghera (Concorde Juniors)
Mamun Chowdhury (Beaumont Athletic)
Asian Community Club of the Year
London Tigers (London)
Beaumont Athletic (London)
Sporting Bengal (London)
Sporting Khalsa (Birmingham)
Albion Sports (Bradford)
Inspiration Award
Rikin Shah (Power Chair User – Coach – UEFA level B)
Butch Fazal (Asian Football Forum)
Permi Jhooti (FIFA Ambassador)
Dinesh Vijayan (Arsenal)
Piara Powar (Director FARE)