West Ham United’s commitment to increasing participation in football by British South Asians was showcased at a Premier League Emerging Talent Festival.

Four teams representing the Hammers in age-groups from Under-9 to Under-12 took part in a six-club competition at Loughborough University, with players drawn predominantly from the South Asian communities of east London.

More than 325,000 South Asians (Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi) live in the London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham and Havering, and many of them are football lovers.

However, the ethnic group is significantly under-represented across football, so, in line with the Club’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, Rashid Abba was appointed to the role of Academy Link Mentor in 2021 to lead on providing opportunities and pathways for male and female players and coaches from South Asian backgrounds.

And it was Abba and his team of mentors and coaches who led the Irons’ four teams in fixtures against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Manchester United at the Emerging Talent Festival. The West Ham teams represented local sides who secured their places at Emerging Talent Qualifiers held at Frenford Clubs in Ilford in July.

The fesitval kicked-off with an opening ceremony, followed by 7v7 and 9v9 matches, followed by a break for the Zuhr prayer – the second of five daily Islamic prayers – and further rounds of matches in the afternoon.

“I think events like this are about widening the net and about celebration as well, and it’s about making sure the boys enjoy their football and have the full experience,” said Abba. “What we’re trying to create here is to make sure those overlooked communities get opportunities and give them a chance.”

Former West Ham Academy player Anwar Uddin became the first player of Bangladeshi origin to play professional football in England and the first British Asian to captain an EFL club when he skippered Dagenham & Redbridge. Uddin was appointed as the Football Association’s diversity and inclusion manager in March this year and was proud to see his former club represented at the Emerging Talent Festival.

“There has been a lack of South Asian players in the game – in the Premier League, EFL, National League – and this is something we want football to look at and resolve,” he told West Ham TV.

“Festivals like this give people an opportunity, play, enjoy the experience of what a Premier League Academy Festival is all about and give the opportunity for scouts to see the talent in grassroots.”

Since taking on his Academy Link Mentor role, Abba and his team have been hugely active in the community, hosting workshops for South Asian coaches and scouts, training sessions for grassroots clubs with South Asian players, as well as playing a leading role in the Premier League’s South Asian Action Plan.

Abba is rightly proud of the work done so far, and will continue working on projects to grow participation in the game at all levels in the South Asian community.

One such project is Emerging Hammers, which is a partnership hosted at Frenford Clubs which gives young players the opportunity to follow a pathway into the Academy of Football.

“Our relationship with grassroots clubs is important because they are going to have the players [who can go on to join the Academy], so you have to build relationships and be visible in those environments, do outreach work, build confidence and self-esteem and try to develop them and bring them into the Academy,” Abba explained.

To find out more about the how West Ham United is working with the South Asian communities of east London, email Rashid Abba at rabba@westhamunited.co.uk.