The first ever Asian Football Awards (AFA) will take place at Wembley Stadium on the 24th January 2012.
The awards, which will recognise the contribution by individuals and groups across the UK with South Asian heritage are being supported by The FA and Kick It Out.
Nominees across 14 award categories include Ipswich Town’s, Michael Chopra, Anwar Uddin of Barnet and QPR owner Tony Fernandes.
The awards will ensure that those with South Asian heritage that work or invest in the professional game or community sport have an opportunity to receive acclaim for their achievements.
Imran Hassan, Co-Founder Asian Football Awards, said, “We have seen positive movement within the development of Asians in the game. We feel that recognition and acknowledgement of individuals and organisations is a fundamental part of developing more individuals in the professional game.”
FA Equality Manager, Funke Awoderu, added: “The FA is delighted that the inaugural Asian Football Awards will be held at Wembley Stadium early next year. We are committed to football for all and look forward to welcoming the Asian football community to one of the world’s most iconic stadiums for an evening that will not only celebrate success and high achievement across all areas of the game but act as an inspiration to younger generations.”
Danny Lynch Head of Communications at Kick It Out, added:
“Initiatives like The Asian Football Awards encourage greater involvement from groups and individuals that have sometimes been marginalised from the game in the past.”
“Kick It Out are proud supporters of the Asian Football Awards.”
Earlier this year Leicester City Apprentice Raajan Gill and former Apprentices Danny Tanveer-Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Krishnan Patel (Bury) were recognised at the British Asians Sports Awards.
Tanveer-Batth scooped the ‘Up and Coming Sports Personality of the Year’ at that ceremony and clubs will be able to nominate their young players for the inaugural AFA Up and Coming Young Player of the Year prize by visiting www.asianfootballawards.co.uk.
