UK
A Historic Evening for Rugby: Inaugural British Asian Rugby Awards Celebrates Excellence. The British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) hosted the first-ever British Asian Rugby Awards in the prestigious State Rooms at Speaker’s House, House of Commons. This groundbreaking event highlighted the contributions of South Asian communities to rugby, paving the way for greater inclusivity and representation in the sport.
A Celebration of Achievement and Diversity
The awards night aimed to inspire engagement and spotlight role models within rugby. Over 100 attendees graced the event, including notable figures like:
- Kris Radlinski (Former Wigan star and CEO of Wigan Warriors)
- Ken Davy (Owner, Huddersfield Giants)
- Baroness Manzoor
- Harpreet Uppal MP, Lord Evans, and Lord Scriven
With the support of headline sponsor La Romantica Beds, the event celebrated rugby’s ability to bring communities together and break barriers. The evening featured inspiring speeches from leaders such as:
- Mr Speaker
- Deputy Speaker Judith Cummins MP
- Tony Sutton (CEO, RFL)
- Jatin Patel (Inclusion Director, RFU)
- Phil Davies (Former Wales Captain and World Rugby Director)
The evening was expertly hosted by Dr. Hanif Malik OBE, creating an atmosphere of reflection, inspiration, and celebration.
Honouring Excellence Across Rugby
The event recognized outstanding contributions from individuals, organizations, and clubs:
- Rising Star Award – Nimrah Gul (Halifax Panthers)
- Outstanding Talent Award – Hamza Butt (Wigan Warriors)
- Excellence in Schools Award – Parkinson Lane Primary & Olive Tree Primary
- Inclusion Awards – Manjinder Nagra & Beena Chadha
- Grassroots Excellence Awards – Mick Johal & Humayun Islam B.E.M.
- Professional Club Awards – Huddersfield Giants & Bradford Bulls
- Coach of Excellence Award – Navneet Sembi
- Community Excellence Awards – Zeinab Drabu & Starr Zaman
- International Excellence Award – Nasser Hussain
The evening also honored six exceptional individuals with induction into the BARA Hall of Fame, recognizing their lasting impact on rugby and their communities: Jaswant Chatha, Mandip Sehmi PLY, Manjinder Nagra, Jagmohan Johal, Junaid Malik, Syed Ali, and Manminder Singh Samra.
A Commitment to Change
While celebrating achievements, the awards also emphasized the need for systemic change in rugby. Speakers highlighted the importance of representation and dismantling barriers to create genuine inclusivity.
Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society, and Youth, shared her support:
“Rugby has the power to change lives and unite communities. I commend those honored tonight and the British Asian Rugby Association for promoting diversity and representation across the sport.”
Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons and President of the Rugby Football League, added:
“Ikram’s efforts have paved the way for a more inclusive future, ensuring rugby reflects the diversity of our communities. I wish BARA continued success as they approach their 20th anniversary.”
Looking Ahead
The British Asian Rugby Awards represent more than an annual celebration—they are a call to action for equity in sport. Dr. Ikram Butt, the first British South Asian to represent England in either rugby code, summed up the event’s impact:
“This milestone not only honors South Asians in rugby but also showcases the power of sport to unite communities and challenge divides. Hosting this event in Parliament underscores the growing acknowledgment of representation in sport.”
As BARA nears its 20th anniversary, this inaugural awards ceremony sets the stage for continued progress, ensuring South Asian representation thrives in rugby for generations.
