The Premier League’s latest South Asian Action Plan Emerging Talent Festival recently supported the development and engagement of hundreds of British South Asian children.
More than 400 Under-8s and Under-9s enjoyed an introduction to professional Academy football as part of the tournament at Loughborough University.
The festival and other initiatives held as part of the League’s South Asian Action Plan are designed to address the under-representation of South Asian players across English football.
Formed in 2021/22, it is a key part of the Premier League’s No Room For Racism Action Plan commitment to enhance pathways for players from under-represented backgrounds.
The festival hosted teams representing 22 Premier League and EFL clubs, with players selected from local communities with a high density of British South Asians. Children enjoyed competing in club colours, overseen by professional Academy coaches and scouts.
'If you demonstrate potential there is a pathway'
Premier League Director of Football Neil Saunders said: “We want to make sure our academies are absolutely open to everyone and that, regardless of your background, if you demonstrate potential there is a pathway for you to play in the professional game. The South Asian Action Plan is a core part of that.
“When we started, two teams supported the event and now we have 22 teams represented. There were more than 400 children involved this year and over 3,000 engaged through the programme all-time. That’s really encouraging.”
As part of the wider aim to diversify playing pathways in English football, parents were invited to a panel discussion between three South Asians who have achieved notable careers in the game.
Shrewsbury Town’s Mal Benning joined Anwar Uddin MBE, the first person of Bangladeshi heritage to play professionally in England, and the Premier League’s first referee from a South Asian background, Sunny Singh Gill.
“Festivals like this will hopefully show the talent that’s out there in South Asian lads and find the next big thing,” said Benning.
“I’d love to see another South Asian player in the Premier League. There’s some good talent out there; hopefully some get picked up by the Academy system and they can get involved at the next level.”
Uddin, who now works for The FA as Diversity and Inclusion Manager, added: “To give grassroots players an experience like this is amazing. It’s about playing at every level, any level, working in the game, being a referee, coach or working in the admin side of the game.
"Football has so many opportunities and I think the door is open to those who are hard working and believe in themselves.”
Inclusive coaching opportunities
In addition to supporting greater representation on the pitch, the Premier League works to diversify career pathways in off-pitch roles through inclusive coaching schemes, support for minority ethnic people into executive positions and EDI training throughout Premier League and Category One Academies.
Over 400 coaches have been engaged through Emerging Talent Festivals alone.
“It's really important we have role models to show it’s possible to make progress, whether that be playing professionally or working in a coaching capacity or even an executive role,” Saunders said.
“We’re really fortunate there are some amazing role models of South Asian heritage working in our game, and this initiative is about inspiring the next generation.”
The growth in the League’s efforts to diversify pathways across English football was praised by West Ham United Academy coach, Neal Akhtar, who has attended every Emerging Talent Festival since their launch.
“In 2021 there was great engagement with it and a real appetite from the community, but to see its growth into this today is absolutely brilliant,” he said.
“The amount of clubs here showcasing local talent from the area is good to see.”
