07th November 2005

National 'Asians in Football' Conference

Leicester City FC's Walkers Stadium

Following the recent 'Asians CAN play football' report, produced by the national Asians in Football Forum, a conference was organised at Leicester City Football Club on Monday 7th November which attracted people involved in developing Asian talent in football from all over the UK.

The conference’s aim was to seek to explore all issues related to the involvement of Asian communities in the game as professional footballers, within other areas of the professional game and the development of grassroots clubs and community initiatives.

Headline speakers at the conference included Richard Caborn, Minister of Sport, Sir Trevor Brooking of The FA, former players Paul Elliot and Brendan Batson, Jas Bains, author of the new report, and a range of speakers from community groups and footballing bodies.

Various workshops were held, including Developing your Club, Asian Women in Football and Where are the Asian Footballers? Examples of good practice were shared and a opportunity for engagement with other organisations all contributed towards a very successful conference.