The BEDSA legacy initiatives stimulate and inspire communities
There are a number of initiatives and individuals that are being supported by BEDSAs. Award evenings can empower individuals however the BEDSA legacy initiatives stimulate and inspire communities for long term sustainability. The BEDSAs in association with Sporting Equals have supported a number of projects over the past 4 years and wants to keep supporting many more in years to come.
British female Muay Thai wold champion
Ruqsana Begum
Ruqsana is an English professional Muay Thai kickboxer. She is the current British female Atom-weight Muay Thai boxing World champion and captain of the British Muay Thai Team.
“To be part of the first-ever British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards was a great privilege and has enabled me to receive support in becoming world champion which will hopefully inspire more Black, Asian and minority ethnic women to take part.”
The British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards supported Ruqsana by contributing the cost of her fight fees.
Supporting the asian community in football
UK Asian Football Championships
“On behalf of the Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the BEDSAs for their support of the UK Asian Football Championships 2015 at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland. These Championships have been running for 17 years to help empower the talent within Asian football and raise the profile of the lack of Asian representation in elite football. With the support of the BEDSAs we hope more communities and individuals will be recognised and celebrated within Black Asian and minority ethnic talent.
Thank you again to the BEDSAs and the Sporting Equals Team for all their support.”
Dilawer Singh
President – Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association
Supporting the asian community in football
UK Asian Football Championships
“On behalf of the Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the BEDSAs for their support of the UK Asian Football Championships 2015 at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland. These Championships have been running for 17 years to help empower the talent within Asian football and raise the profile of the lack of Asian representation in elite football. With the support of the BEDSAs we hope more communities and individuals will be recognised and celebrated within Black Asian and minority ethnic talent.
Thank you again to the BEDSAs and the Sporting Equals Team for all their support.”
Dilawer Singh
President – Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association
Wheelchair Table Tennis Player
Nicko Anderson
“It’s great to be part of British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards. To see so many role models from the BME community being celebrated has inspired me to really push and excel at table tennis. I believe the BEDSA’s have the power to create more talent from diverse groups and I am excited to know the winners next year.”
Coach at Leicester City Football Club Community Trust
Annie Zaidi
“Sporting Equals have been supporting and encouraging my journey in Football and being nominated at the BEDSA’s was truly amazing and helped send a message to all Asian females about getting involved and overcoming barriers to participation. I gave up paid employment to pursue a career in the professional game and funding from the BEDSAs means a lot to me. Thank you to the BEDSAs for supporting my coaching career this year.”
Supporting the "Invest in the best" programme
Invest in the Best
The BEDSA’s are supporting the ‘Invest in the Best’ programme which will be delivered by Sport Birmingham and will help encourage the sports system to identify and support talented young athletes. The talent programme will provide a full wrap around level of support and services to talented individuals.
The support will include a grant to provide for kit/equipment, club membership, training, travel and competition costs. The Talent pathway programme is being piloted in partnership with Sport Birmingham with a view for national roll-out in the future.