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The presence of South Asian footballers at the highest levels of professional football in England remains limited, despite recent improvements in participation. Since the Football Association (FA) introduced a strategy in the 2021-22 season aiming to increase involvement, the number of South Asian men playing professionally has nearly doubled. Last season, there were 28 South Asian professionals compared to just 16 five years prior. However, these players still make up a little over 1% of elite-level competitors, highlighting a significant underrepresentation despite evident enthusiasm for the sport within these communities.
The FA highlights that engagement with football among South Asian populations extends beyond players to include coaching and refereeing roles at various levels. Statistics suggest that more than 11% of adult males and over 15% of adult females from South Asian backgrounds are actively participating in football. Nonetheless, many players and observers point to ongoing challenges that hinder progression to the top tiers. These challenges include persistent stereotypes, cultural expectations, and insufficient support structures, all of which contribute to the barriers faced by talented individuals striving to advance their football careers.
Marva Kreel, a football presenter and former youth player at Tottenham, reflects on these longstanding difficulties. Of part South Asian heritage herself, she notes that for decades, the sport’s landscape has not mirrored the diversity of local communities. Marva recalls the physical limitations that restricted access to training and games for some of her peers, particularly due to lack of coaching availability and inconvenient travel distances. She emphasizes that stereotypes about South Asian boys and girls frequently lead to premature judgments about their potential within football, which further limits opportunities for progression.
Efforts to address these obstacles include initiatives like the Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS), co-founded by Riz Rehman, whose brother was the first British South Asian Premier League player. Riz describes how he faced discouragement based on cultural misconceptions around diet and education priorities during his playing years. Now a coach, he aims to provide mentorship and resources to players navigating the elite pathways in football, hoping to offer support that was lacking in his own experience. Meanwhile, players involved in AIMS, such as Malvind Singh Benning, who now mentors others, stress the importance of role models and grassroots development. Mariam Mahmood, a Wrexham player, agrees, highlighting how visible success stories can motivate younger generations and how fostering talent in inclusive environments from a young age is crucial to diversifying professional football
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