Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Dhanda looks to empower South Asian footballers in new role at Kick It Out

Dhanda looks to empower South Asian footballers in new role at Kick It Out

YAN DHANDA always wanted to make a difference for the upcoming British South Asian footballers, and now being part of the Kick It Out Player Advisory Group - will give him that opportunity.

He along with other British South Asian footballers such as Mal Benning and Anwar Uddin are part of the 11-strong diverse advisory group.


Moreover, in his new role at Kick It Out, the Swansea midfielder is confident of helping out British South Asians involved in football.

The 22-year-old already an influential South Asian footballer at the top level is now keen to make an impact to the game by joining Kick It Out's advisory group - which would be chaired by head of player engagement Troy Townsend, alongside former PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle.

UK currently has less than a dozen professionally contracted South Asian footballers, now with Dhanda and others being a part, Kick It Out are creating a South Asian Action Group to address the issue.

Dhanda told Sky Sports News: "My main aim is to empower young South Asian players coming up behind me that want to make it in the professional game.

"When I had the opportunity to join Kick It Out's Advisory Board I jumped at it. I want to use this platform to achieve positive change, and by working together we can definitely do this."

In February following Swansea's 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, Dhanda was targeted with racist abuse online. Fellow Punjabi footballer Mal Benning had immediately reached out to Dhanda, who is also part of the advisory group and wants to work towards making a change for South Asian footballers.

"I just want to see change," Benning was quoted as saying.

"I have experienced racial abuse online and Kick It Out were the first ones there to help me out with it and I feel by joining them I can help anyone from a South Asian background in the future."

The first British-Bangladeshi to play professionally in England, Anwar Uddin, also part of the advisory group, and now assistant manager to Danny Searle at Aldershot, added: "At times as a young player you sometimes feel isolated, you feel like a bit of a circus act because there are so few British Asians that play football. To be able to have the support and that guidance is really important."

More For You

Boohoo

Boohoo’s shares, which have fallen by about 20 per cent this year, dropped 4 per cent on Tuesday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Boohoo rebrands as Debenhams after 21 per cent sales drop

BOOHOO has rebranded itself as Debenhams Group after sales from its young fashion brands, including Boohoo, MAN, and PrettyLittleThing, declined by 21 per cent to £947 million.

The move comes amid strong competition from Shein and a shift towards second-hand clothing among younger shoppers, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
stacey dooley

The BBC presenter investigates how justice fails survivors of sexual violence.

Getty Images

‘I wouldn’t go to police if I was raped’: Stacey Dooley exposes broken system in viral BBC documentary

Stacey Dooley has said something that’s hard to hear but important to talk about: if she were raped, she doesn’t think she’d go to the police. After spending three years listening to women’s stories for her latest BBC documentary Rape on Trial, Dooley says her trust in the system is shaken.

The 38-year-old presenter told Radio Times that what she’s seen while making the series left her feeling doubtful. “If somebody raped me, I don’t think I would go to the police,” she said. “It’s such a bleak and disappointing realisation. But based on what I’ve witnessed, I wouldn’t feel confident.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Holi

Holi encourages forgiveness, reconciliation, and the renewal of relationships, making it a meaningful occasion

iStock

All you need to know about Holi, the Hindu festival of colours

Holi, the high-spirited Hindu festival of colours, love, and spring, is one of the most joyous celebrations in India and among Indian communities worldwide. In 2025, Holi will be celebrated on Friday, March 14, with the preceding evening marked by Holika Dahan (the ritual of lighting bonfires) on Thursday, March 13. Known as the “Festival of Colours,” Holi welcomes the arrival of spring and symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Key dates and timings you need to know

Holi is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna, which usually falls in February or March according to the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, the festivities will begin with Holika Dahan on the evening of March 13, followed by the main day of Holi on March 14.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manoj Malde’s Chelsea garden aims to stem HIV stigma

Manoj Malde in the Eastern Eye Garden of Unity in 2023

Manoj Malde’s Chelsea garden aims to stem HIV stigma

MANOJ MALDE, whose design for Eastern Eye’s “Garden of Unity” at Chelsea in 2023 was a triumph, has another entry this year at the world’s premier flower show.

Two years ago, there was such a buzz around Eastern Eye’s spectacular garden that it became a “must see” even for King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Keep ReadingShow less
starmer-zelensky

Keir Starmer welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street last week.

UK played a key role as Ukraine ready to accept ceasefire proposal: Report

THE UK played a key role in facilitating discussions between Ukraine and the US over a proposed ceasefire with Russia, according to a report.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness for a 30-day ceasefire but stated that it is up to the US to persuade Russia to agree. Talks on the proposal took place in Saudi Arabia.

Keep ReadingShow less