Despite making up 7% of the UK’s population, only 11 British South Asians have played professional football in England. So the Football Association, Football for Peace (FfP) Founder and former British South Asian Footballer Kashif Siddiqi, and World Cup winner and former Arsenal Captain Mesut Özil, have joined forces to launch a new centre to tackle inequality and boost South Asian and ethnic minority representation in British football.
The University of Bradford will host the Football for Peace Mesut Özil Centre. It will also run football and life skill sessions at Bradford City AFC’s training ground providing opportunity for South Asian players; showcasing the power of football in all its forms to contribute positively to pressing issues of inclusion, inequality and discrimination.
The Bradford Centre, located at the University of Bradford alongside Bradford City AFC, is the first nationwide initiative, along with Premier League and English Football League clubs who have also signed up to the initiative. Other FfP Centres will also be co-branded with professional players and clubs promoting opportunities for members of ethnically diverse communities to fulfil their aspirations by providing pathways into elite football and education. Former Premier League Footballers have joined the initiative as technical directors including Michael Chopra, Cherno Samba and Hayden Mullins. The official launch of Britain’s first initiative for South Asian inclusion in football, will take place today on Wednesday 6 October at the University of Bradford.
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IN FOOTBALL
In the UK, ethnically diverse communities have suffered from a lack of opportunities and professional facilities within the football industry. There are over three million South Asians in the UK. In spite of this, the South Asian diaspora is largely absent at a playing level, administrative and coaching level throughout the football world. During South Asian Heritage month this summer, England Manager, Gareth Southgate, highlighted that “football must revisit its approach to scouting and creating opportunities for British South Asian talent to thrive in the sport”‘
Arun Kang OBE, CEO of Sporting Equals, believes the “initiative promises greater action towards achieving better South Asian representation in the professional sport”. “We know that the South Asian football participation in the UK is considerable, as is its fan base. However, the high levels of participation in football has yet to translate to cultivating South Asian talent towards elite players,” noted Kang. “We welcome the news that the Football for Peace Mesut Özil Development Centre will be the bridge between community organisations, including those we work with at Sporting Equals; and elite clubs to encourage greater participation in South Asian communities and others from ethnically diverse backgrounds.”
Image credit: Football for Peace
TACKLING LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES
Underrepresented communities underachieve because they lack inspiration; a pathway, a role model, a coach, to inspire them to reach their full potential be it in sports or in industry. This lack of opportunity for the South Asian community has been the topic of conversation for a number of years; and one that sits at the forefront of Siddiqi’s life. At one stage, he was one of the only 11 British South Asians to have played professional football in England; having spent the 2013-14 season on the books of Northampton Town after spells in the USA, Oxford United FC in 2019-2020, and most recently in the Indian Premier League with Real Kashmir FC. Plied with injuries and still nurturing an Achilles tendon rupture, his focus is now off the field; where the Hammersmith-born, former Pakistan international made his name.
“Football has given me so much; and working with Mesut, we want to create a platform that will provide a framework inside the Football pyramid between professional clubs and also our community. Whilst it is important to see greater representation in professional sport, it is also vital to recognise the power football can have on communities,” stated Siddiqi. “Our ongoing engagement with young people and communities also seeks to contribute to reducing the devastating effects of Covid-19; which has also led to reducing the amount of sports participation, especially South Asian Community are engaging in.”
OPPORTUNITIES ON & OFF THE PITCH
Siddiqi set up the Kashif Siddiqi Foundation in 2013 and co-founded Football for Peace; a global organisation backed by the United Nations supporting people and the planet. Now he partners with World Cup winner and former Arsenal Captain Mesut Özil, to bring football into the heart of the ethnically diverse community of Bradford, working to break down the social barriers responsible for an ever-expanding divide between British South Asian families and the sport.
“I have always been surprised why the South Asian Community are only allowed to be fans of the game. Why are we not seeing more players or managers breaking into professional football?” commented Özil. “I want to support them, give them an opportunity to be successful both on and off the pitch; I myself am from an ethnically diverse background and understand the challenges.” He added that he hoped “the Football for Peace Mesut Özil Centre will become the platform they need”.
This is not the first time Siddiqi and Özil have joined forces for good. In 2020, under lockdown, Dr Erkut Sögüt who represents Özil, brought the pair together to deliver 500,000 meals that were going to waste management from Wembley Stadium across the UK.
FACILITATING GROWTH & INCLUSION IN FOOTBALL
Supported by Sporting Equals and the UN Global Goals, the Football for Peace Mesut Özil Centre, will be hosted and run by the University of Bradford. “We are delighted to form part of the Mesut Özil Football for Peace Development Centre, that will facilitate the growth and inclusion of the South Asian community in football,” stated Bradford City Football Club CEO, Ryan Sparks. “Inclusion and diversity is fundamental to the success of our club and Bradford as a whole; and we pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and warming environment for all.”
University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon shared his sentiment. “We are excited to announce the University’s partnership with Football for Peace. The University’s vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity for all, and this partnership is a fantastic example of how we can achieve this,” addedProfessor Congdon. “Through this partnership we hope to use football to engage with young people in our communities, to show how sport can contribute to resolving pressing social and environmental issues; and to help them become future leaders who will make a difference to societies around the world.”
STRONGER PIPELINE OF UNDERREPRESENTED TALENT
This is the first time an initiative like this is kicking off specific for the South Asian community; and is welcomed by the FA who are also providing sponsorship toward this alongside Innaree, the organic CBD supplier for the sport and wellbeing industry.
“The FA is proud to support this important initiative which aligns to our Asian inclusion strategy, Bringing Opportunities to Communities. All people regardless of ethnicity or background should be able to play and enjoy the game,” highlighted Rupinder Bains, a Football Association Board Member and Board Sponsor for Asian Inclusion. “Through this initiative, we hope to see more young people from historically underrepresented ethnic backgrounds breaking into academy structures, creating a stronger future pipeline of talent for the professional game. It is a promising step forward.”
UPSKILLING YOUTH TO ACHIEVE CHANGE
Adding to her comments, Abu M Kamruzzaman, MD of Innaree, said: “The work carried out by Football for Peace in recognising the need for these academies and to support initiatives such as greater inclusion of the South Asian Communities in football, is key to tackling inequality. At Innaree we recognise the synergy between both organisations, in bringing positive change and ‘wellness’ into people’s lives, communities and the world we live in. We look forward to continuing the close working relationship with Football for Peace, Mesut Özil and the team, achieving change where it is needed.”
The Football for Peace Mesut Özil Centre is working closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and will be contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda and Global Goals to also upskill youth to contribute positively to their own communities around sustainable living, wellbeing, inequality and discrimination. The Centres will also provide workshops for parents, who are a key part of the process, unlocking and reshaping the relationship between the community and the football community as a whole.
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