South Asians in Football: Derby's Kira Rai tells Asian Media Awards work has only just begun to drive change in the English game
Derby County footballer Kira Rai has emerged in recent years as a leading voice for change for diverse communities in football; Sikh-Punjabi sensation Rai has scored in consecutive games, either side of supporting an Arsenal girls’ football drive and presenting an Asian Media Award
By Sky Sports News
Tuesday 31 October 2023 11:17, UK
Derby County trailblazer Kira Rai says the work has only just begun after speaking of her pride at changing the face of women's football together with Sky Sports.
The Sikh-Punjabi attacker spoke as she became the first South Asian heritage footballer, male or female, ever to present an award at the annual Asian Media Awards.
The only other footballer to have presented an award at the long-running gala event rewarding excellence in the media is England and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer.
Brought onto stage by broadcaster and host Neev Spencer, Derby County trailblazer Rai was cheered on as she went up to present the award by Blackburn Rovers midfielder Millie Chandarana, former player Zarah Shah and freestyle footballer Kaljit Atwal.
"I have been privileged enough to have Sky Sports share my journey," Rai told the Asian Media Awards.
"Sky Sports has been a safe space for me to share my journey, giving me a platform to use my voice to try and inspire the next generation of South Asian girls coming through.
"Together, we have changed English football - and we have only just begun."
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Rai, who shared insight and offered advice to players, parents and coaches, added: "It was especially sweet to score at the end of a week where the lack of ethnic diversity in the women's game has once again become a major talking point.
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Arsenal defender Jen Beattie recognises the need for more representation within their first team, and hopes change can be made at all levels of the game.
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"I'm really proud to be one of those flying the flag for South Asian girls in the women's game."
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England women's head coach Sarina Wiegman says that better representation in football 'doesn't change overnight' and that she is 'happy with all the things' being brought in to encourage access to football for everyone
Wiegman said: "I'm happy with all the things we're doing, but that doesn't change overnight. It's not going to change in a month or two months."
But Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been among those scathing of the shameful lack of diversity in the women's game, describing it back in February of this year as a "middle-class sport".
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Sheffield United's Courtney Sweetman-Kirk has called for urgent action to address the lack of diversity within the women's game on a number of occasions
English football's national governing body does not have any specific initiatives in place to support the development of female players from South Asian backgrounds.
That is despite a lack of readily-available data about players from the community, and the fact that South Asians are the largest single ethnic minority female group in the country.
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Port Vale's Mal Benning scored their third goal in the 3-0 win in the League Two play-off final victory against Mansfield and described it as an important moment for British South Asians in Football
Rai and a number of other players from South Asian backgrounds across the game have told Sky Sports News that this is something that needs to be urgently addressed.
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Bristol City Women's forward Simran Jhamat is a 'flagbearer' for British South Asians who dream of making it in the game, says Charlton Athletic Women coach Riteesh Mishra
"It has to change - and hopefully that time is soon," Rai said.
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The future of South Asians in Football more broadly was also being discussed by people from grassroots all the way through to the elite level of the game on the sidelines of the Sporting Equals Awards.
Officials from Sporting Khalsa, Southall FC and the Khalsa Football Federationwere all agreed on the need for a game-wide British South Asians in Football strategy.
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The first Muslim member of the FA Council Yunus Lunatand former FA National Game Board member Abu Nasir also signalled their agreement.
Trailblazer and former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra was also involved in deep discussions about the state of play - against the backdrop of zero per cent British South Asian representation on the pitch in the Premier League last season.
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Take a look back at some of the best goals scored by British South Asians in Football hero Michael Chopra
Even legendary former England netball captain Ama Agbeze MBE actively engaged in discussions, lending her support and expressing her concern about South Asian representation at the highest level of the Beautiful Game.
The rise of Kira Rai
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Rai started out at Burton Albion, before joining Derby County while still at primary school. She has played in every age-group side and is in her 15th year at the club.
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Founder of the Punjabi Rams official Derby County supporters' group explains the significance of the Vaisakhi festival and why it is important to work with the club to mark such occasions
Speaking to Sky Sports News two years ago, ahead of the Vaisakhi festival which is celebrated widely by Sikhs and Hindus, Rai said she feels fortunate to have the support of everyone at the football club including the Punjabi Rams.
"Within Derby I've always been pushed, I've had a lot of support from the club, but then to have your own little community within a club is massive.
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Derby County Women's winger Kira Rai says she feels lucky to enjoy the support of fans' group the Punjabi Rams
"I feel that's quite a unique thing for me to have and I feel lucky to have that. And obviously, being a Punjabi girl, having their support [is an amazing feeling].
"It's like you have your own community behind you and you want to be an inspiration for them, but they are also an inspiration for me. They highlight and show football in a South Asian setting is normal."
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Rai also agreed to have her story showcased as part of the first-ever exhibition documenting the journey of South Asian heritage women in the modern English game.
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Aqsa Mushtaq, who features in the first-ever timeline documenting the journey of South Asian heritage female players, looks back on making history as the first player of Pakistani heritage to play professionally in Italy
Trehan, who is Britain's only dedicated spotter of South Asian female talent, has publicly said on a number of occasions that Rai was a major inspiration for both projects - along with other high-potential players from clubs across the country that he has worked with.
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Britain's first turbaned Sikh Member of Parliament, Tan Dhesi, visited the showcase earlier this year at Singh Sabha Sports Centre in his home constituency of Slough.
"Everyone is very proud to see it hosted at Singh Sabha Slough Sports Centre, which is a major hub of activity for young people, especially those of South Asian heritage," Dhesi said.
"And when they come along and see this exhibition, they now have role models [that they never knew existed] that they too can aspire to be like and emulate. They can go away thinking 'if she can do it, why can't I?'.
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"Representation matters and it does not matter what sphere that is in. It's wonderful to see the advances that South Asian heritage female players have made, particularly in the last decade."
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"I played with a lot of South Asian players, even from grassroots level at 14. They have been playing and I just don't think it has been captured.
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"So it's great to see the showcase, very, very pleasing. It's just about celebrating, there is so much greatness within the game, and it's not just about diversity in terms of colour, it's also about diversity in terms of mindset, experiences, and cultures. That's what Britain brings."
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And in November, the pair both netted in just the second ever women's game played at the famous stadium, which has been home to West Brom's men's team for 123 years.
Mahmood: Our stories matter
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"It's great to feature in the timeline alongside Kira," said Mahmood. "Seeing us feature on the boards shows how far we have come, but also shows how much further we have to go.
"Education and bridging the gap in knowledge about South Asians in football remains a major issue. Our stories matter and I hope this raises positive awareness and encourages more children, particularly girls from South Asian backgrounds, to take up the game and enjoy playing football."
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Blackburn Rovers midfielder Chandarana said: "We can now see all the great things that these girls have achieved and continue to achieve, and it's great to be a small part of it.
"I hope it gives inspiration to many more, to show that a career in football is possible for women from the South Asian community."
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Rai added: "To feature alongside some fabulous South Asian women as part of the history of the English women's game is a matter of huge pride for me, my family and my football club.
"We know women's football is not as diverse as it should be, and I want to play my part to help change that. I hope this inspires the next generation and gives talented girls who look like me the belief that they can also make it in the game."
Rai is coming off the back of her best campaign with the club, with her performances last term earning her a place alongside the likes of Chandarana, Mahmood and Ross County forward Yan Dhanda in a first-of-its-kind South Asians in Football Team of the Season.
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The last week has been a busy one for Rai, scoring for Derby County, heading down to support her community, Arsenal and the women's game - before presenting an award.
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But she took it all in her stride, returning to Derby's starting line-up and opening the scoring in a 5-2 win against Northampton at the weekend as the Ewe Rams made it four wins on the spin.
"That's our Kira for you," says Punjabi Rams co-founder Pav Samra.
"She's dedicated and nothing seems to faze her.
"Everyone across Derby County is really proud of her. She really is one of our own."