"Events like this are important to help cement our players"
The Asian Football Awards were held at Wembley Stadium on September 25, 2024, and honoured British Asians in football.
It was its 5th edition and it celebrated inspirational individuals and organisations making an impact on British South Asians in the UK.
The awards were supported by the FA, PFA, Premier League, PGMOL and the Fans for Diversity campaign.
Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth hosted the awards ceremony, with the FA Cup trophy on display.
The British South Asians in Football Team of the Season were also showcased at Wembley Stadium.
The annual squad celebrates the on-field contribution made by British South Asians in football leagues across the world and has previously been showcased at elite and semi-professional English clubs, including Brentford, Sporting Khalsa, Leicester City and Punjab United.
Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury was the joint winner of the Men’s Player Award alongside Hearts’ Yan Dhanda.
The award was Choudhury’s second in a week as he was named Sport’s Personality of the Year at the Asian Achievers Awards.
Meanwhile, Derby County winger Kira Rai won the Women’s Player Award.
She said: “For me, I think it is really important as a South Asian female to normalise the fact that I play football and that’s my message.
“Events like this are important to help cement our players in football in this country.
“I think British South Asians belong, both male and female, so I think that’s my message to have more of us on the pitch, off the pitch.”
Former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal picked up the Young Player award.
Wigan first-team coach Shadab Iftikhar received the Professional Coach Award.
Sky Sports News’ Dev Trehan won the Media Award for his work around British South Asians in Football.
He tweeted: “Honoured to win the Media Award @AFootballAwards at Wembley Stadium.
“Grateful to my friends and partners across the industry and the game and the thousands who’ve supported me on the journey.
“Big night for Sky, South Asians and the English game, and the Trehan football family.”
Aston Villa fan group Punjabi Villans received Best Fans Group and on X, the group wrote:
“Punjabi Villans win Best Fans group at the @AFootballAwards! What a privilege to receive this award!”
The Full List of Winners
Community Club Award
Punjab United
FA Grassroots Award
Shahid Malji (Super 5 League London)
Match Official of the Year
Sunny Singh Gill
Inclusion Project Award
The FA (Faith in Football/South Asian Inclusion)
Media Award
Dev Trehan (Sky Sports)
Premier League Academy Award
Manisha Tailor (Spurs)
Ashvir Johal (Notts County)
Jazz Sodhi (Aston Villa)
Inspiration Award
Rashid Abba (West Ham)
Professional Coach Award
Shadab Iftikhar (Wigan Athletic)
Young Player (U23)
Zidane Iqbal (FC Utrecht)
Founders Special Recognition
Vinay Menon (Wellness Coach – former Chelsea FC and Belgium World Cup team)
Men’s Player Award
Yan Dhanda (Hearts)
Hamza Choudhury (Leicester City)
Women’s Player Award
Kira Rai (Derby County Women’s FC)
Fan Group Award
Punjabi Villans (Aston Villa)
Special Recognition
Rashpal Shergill for Voluntary Services to Officiating
DESIblitz congratulates all the winners of the Asian Football Awards!
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