Some of the UK’s top Asian cricketers will be up for awards this year in the 2015 Asian Cricket Awards, which was launched at Lords on Friday 1 May.
Now in its second year the Asian Cricket Awards which are held in association with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and supported by the Club Cricket Conference (CCC) are open to people with British Asian heritage as well as to those dedicated to increasing Asian participation in British cricket.
- Leicestershire County Cricket Club CEO Wasim Khan who will sit on the judging panel for the 2015 awards and England international Sonia Odedra from Leicester attended the launch. Credit: Inventive Sports.
The aim of the awards is to improve the awareness of the positive impact made by Asians within the British cricket industry and to engage with organisations and individuals to help increase participation. The actual awards ceremony will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Tuesday 13 October 2015.
Last year, England and Worcestershire cricketer Moeen Ali was named Player of the Year and is now an ambassador for this year’s event. He is currently on tour with England in the West Indies. He said, “I am very proud of my heritage and honoured to be representing England”
“The British Asian talent pool is immense and I really hope to see more players make it through to the top level.
“An event such as this, at the home of cricket, helps to give British Asians the platform they deserve.”
Other big names honoured at the 2014 awards included Leicestershire County Cricket Club chief executive Wasim Khan MBE, former England captain Nasser Hussain OBE, former England bowler Isa Guha and Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s Salma Bi.
England and Essex batsman Ravi Bopara, currently playing in the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad, said. “The Asian Cricket Awards is a great initiative that recognises the entire cricket industry.
“I am proud to be an ambassador for the event during my benefit year with Essex. I believe in putting back into the community and hope that future generations can draw inspiration from this much-needed initiative.”
- The Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP (centre) at the launch with Asian Cricket
Awards founders Balijt Rihal (left) and Jas Jassal, of Inventive Sports. Credit: Inventive Sports.
Jane Hannah, the ECB’s national volunteer and participation manager said, “The ECB are privileged and delighted to be the associate partner once again for the Talk Home Mobile Asian Cricket Awards.
“Last year’s celebration of cricket, from grass roots up to the professional game, was fantastically successful in highlighting the contribution that British Asians make to the game.”
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP, said, “I have seen some of the fantastic work that is being done in this country to involve more and more people in sport and I encourage the use of sport to build a better society and a stronger Britain.
“I believe we are stronger not when we look at each other’s differences but when we celebrate all of the things we have in common. The Asian community is now a real part of cricket in this country and that is so important to me.
“These Awards are a valuable addition to a game that unites so many people and brings them together across all communities to help break down barriers.”
The Asian Cricket Awards are organised by Inventive Sports, and the organisation’s cofounder, Baljit Rihal, said, “Our inaugural event at Lord’s last year was a tremendous success, and this year’s awards will be bigger and better.
“Our objective is not only to raise awareness of the fantastic achievements of individuals and organisations, but also to ensure the future involvement of British Asians in cricket.”
Nominations for the 2015 Talk Home Mobile Asian Cricket Awards will be open between Monday 1 June and Monday 17 August 2015.
For all details on voting go to: www.asiancricketawards.co.uk.
Categories are:
– Professional Player of the Year
– Woman in Cricket
– Coach of the Year
– Media
– Grassroots
– Professional Young Player of the Year
– Inspiration
– Asian Cricket Club of the Year
– Amateur Player of the Year
– Behind the Scenes
– Diversity Project Award (sponsored by ECB). This new award is open
to county cricket clubs to highlight their work engaging with their local
British Asian community.
