Despite a surge in the number of South Asian players in professional football in England, they still represent just over 1% of those competing at the elite level. The Football Association (FA) has launched a strategy to boost participation, but the journey to the top remains challenging for many.
The interest in the sport is evident, with over 11% of adult male and 15% of adult female South Asians in England participating in football. However, players and experts cite various obstacles, including cultural expectations, lack of infrastructure, and misconceptions, as factors hindering their progress.
Marva Kreel, a journalist and presenter of South Asian heritage, recalls her own experiences. “When I looked around, the players on the pitch didn’t represent my local area. They didn’t represent who I was going to school with; it was a very white space.” She explains that physical barriers, such as distant training grounds, prevented some of her friends from advancing to higher levels.
Riz Rehman, who runs the Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS) through the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), echoes these challenges. “We were told that we would never make it because you’ve got the wrong diet, you’re playing towards education, not sport,” he recalls.
Rehman’s brother, Zesh, was the first British South Asian to play in the Premier League, but his career was cut short due to injury. Now a coach, Rehman is determined to provide the support and understanding that he and his brother missed out on.
The PFA reports “steady progress” in getting more South Asian players into clubs, but there is still a long way to go, particularly for women. Mariam Mahmood, who plays for Wrexham, believes that representation and role models are crucial. “When people see other people’s success stories and more publicity on people that are getting success in football, I think it will motivate other players and different people to also get involved and think: ‘Oh, if they can do it, I can do it’,” she says.
The FA is working to address these issues, with Loughborough University conducting an independent evaluation of the AIMS programme to help shape its future. As the football community continues to strive for greater diversity and inclusion, the stories of South Asian players like Rehman and Mahmood serve as a reminder of the immense talent and determination that exists within these communities.
