Our Game Too Apu Vyas

OGT speaks to Sporting Equals CEO Arun Kang.

Sporting Equals are a charity set up originally by Sport England and the Commission for Racial Equality to increase participation and involvement of ethnically diverse communities which they have done by engaging with both communities themselves and the governing bodies of sports.

Arun has been working in equality and inclusion for much of his working life and even did his MA in Promoting Equality and Managing Diversity!

We discuss his upbringing and how annd why he places so much importance on sport (“health is wealth”) and also discover that growing up he was besties with a certain Gareth Southgate!

In a wide ranging interview recorded during and specially for South Asian Heritage Month, we hear about lots of successes in all sports including football.

Asians in football... we're getting there.

Music:
Naraina by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4112-naraina
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

OGT speaks to Chipie Sian manger of Gravesend's Punjab United FC.

What do you do if you can't get the commitment of your Sunday League players? Why set up a semi-pro team of course!

That's exactly what Chipie did and it's testament to his hard work that Punjab United are currently plying their trade at step 5 of the football pyramid – 5 promotions away from the EFL!

We hear about their battles to be accepted, even calling upon the formidable Priti Patel along the way!

Chipie also talks about his pride in running an Asian team that is giving Asian youngsters opportunities and fast becoming integral in the community.

Lastly we talk about the Football Festival on July 3rd which will feature the 4 highest Asian teams in the football pyramid.

Asians in football... we're getting there.

Music:
Naraina by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4112-naraina
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

OGT speaks to qualified referee, Minesh Gupta.

Minesh is one of the country's most experienced refs currently Level 4, and South Asian to boot. He is also an FA Developer, an FA Tutor and sits on the National Wing Member for FA Judicial Services.

Why would anyone want to be a referee with all the abuse and scrutiny that comes with it?!

Minesh answers honestly, highlights the positives of both the role itself and the positive mental health and self-development it can bring as well as explaining more of referees mindsets and processes before urging more people to take up refereeing as without them, there would be no game!

Along the way we took the opportunity to ask more about the structure of refereeing in England, typical match day prep and the qualification process to become a referee.

Minesh.gupta@btinternet.com
https://twitter.com/MinGupta

Asians in football... we're getting there.

Music:
Naraina by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4112-naraina
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

OGT speaks to Chas Khera of The FA

Chas has been coaching for a long time and on his 'CV' can boast an impressive array of Premier League footballers.

He's always been proud of his heritage and whether it's being the only turban wearer in a room of 400 people or it's bringing over and coaching the national teams of India, Pakistan and The Reggae Boyz, Chas has always stood tall and proud.

We discuss coaching, quotas and much more.

Asians in football... we're getting there.

Music:
Naraina by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4112-naraina
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What a season it has been for Asians in football.

We are joined by the legend that Is Anwar Uddin and we discuss the highs and lows (but where they though?!) of the 2020/2021 season where we discuss amongst other things:

Yan Dhanda getting to Wembley
Arjan Raikhy MotM FA Youth Cup Final v Liverpool
Otis Khan SF of Play Off
Purewal v Purewal FA Vase
Sameron Dool’s Connah Quay Nomads won Welsh Premier League
Sam Kerr – Chelsea won WSL, Women’s League Cup & got to CL final and she won golden boot
SM Boycott
Hamza Choudhury FA Cup Winner
Riteesh Mishra CAFC Assistant Manager
Hamza Choudhury launching book incl Asian heritage
Bhups and Sunny Gill officiating Championship game
Zidane Iqbal signing pro at Man U
Break in Prem game to allow Ramadan fast breaks
Rosie Kmita hatrick and she went on to win Watford Player of Season
Otis Khan in EFL Trophy Final
Ricky Hill becomes first Asian heritage England player!
Riteesh named Women’s Championship Manager of the mOnth
Dilan Markanday in Spurs’ Europa League squad
Aqsa Mushtaq scores first goal for Roma
AIMS Initiative
Yan Dhanda faces racist abuse online
Apna England group of fans formed (ish) who went on to have a call with Gareth Southgate
Chorley FC in 4th round of FA Cup with Youth coach Irfan Kawri
Mal Benning’s 300th appearance
Mica Richards doc inc Sporting Bengal
Arjan Raikhy – Villa v Liverpool FA Cup 3rd round
Jey Siva – Canvey Island captain in FA Cup 2nd round live ont BT Sport
Greg Clarke comments!
Amrit Bansal McNulty NI debut
Dinesh Gillela not afraid to speak out
Ghayas Zahid
Bala Devi
Baskehir’s players walking off pitch v PSG
Sky Sports launching Asians in Football page

Asians in football... we're getting there.

Music:
Naraina by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4112-naraina
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

OGT speaks to Coach Yas of the phenomenally successful Coaches Network podcast.

Right now, Coach Yas is an A licence coach, a coach educator, a podcaster and an entrepreneur.

He's interviewed amongst others NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal and Premiership footballers including Sol Campbell, Jason Lee and Jack Wilshere.

But coaching is his passion and has brought him not only to where he is now, but more importantly on a journey out of the clutches of crime to being a father and a husband as well as his coaching.

Fasicnating interview with someone who is really invested in getting deep into coaching.

Twitter - @thecoachesnet
IG - @thecoachesnetwork
www.thecoachesnetwork.co.uk

Asians in football... we're getting there.

Music:
Naraina by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4112-naraina
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/