We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Sidelined​.​.​.​Our Asian Footballers Are Missing!

by Yasmeen Khan

/
  • Digital Track
    Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £3.50 GBP

    You own this

     

about

Originally broadcast by BBC Radio 4 in November 2010


The first comprehensive study of football among Asian communities was undertaken in 1995, when the FA helped to fund a report by the Asian Football Forum wryly entitled "Asians Can't Play Football." Its main conclusions included [1] "Football was extremely popular among young Asians" and [2] "many people in football viewed Asians as either not interested or unsuitable." A decade of dialogue and initiatives followed, only for the report's authors to conclude that: "Sadly, despite the warm welcome, to date the FA has made too few meaningful attempts to address, directly, the recommendations..."

Yasmeen heads to the FA to ask what they and are putting in place to try and change things? She visits Chelsea FC, to learn how clubs and academies work within their communities, to make football accessible to all. Away from the game, what are Asian family attitudes towards football as a career? If other communities can break through, what is stopping British Asians?

We hear from the Asian Football Network, a grassroots initiative that is designed to open pathways for anyone interested in the future of Asians in football. Yasmeen also speaks with the London Tigers, a community project that helps young players with training, leagues and even going so far as to take aspiring players to and from training at academies. Alongside the community side of the game, Yasmeen tries to track down the elusive British Asian professional footballer!


Taking Part

Yasmeen Khan – presenter/broadcaster
Mesba Ahmed – CEO, London Tigers
Zesh Rehman – Professional football player
Simon Taylor – Head of CSR, Chelsea FC
Samir Singh – Arsenal FC In the Community
Kuljit Randawar – Asian Football Network
Brendon Batson – Consultant to the F.A. and former professional football player

N.B. Some music has been edited from the broadcast version due to copyright restrictions

credits

released December 4, 2010
Originally broadcast by BBC Radio 4 in 2010

Presented by Yasmeen Khan
Produced by Neil Gardner & Yasmeen Khan
(c) 2010, A Ladbroke Productions Release

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Spokenworld Audio UK

contact / help

Contact Spokenworld Audio

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account