On Sunday 4 August the CFA welcomed in hundreds of parents, coaches and children to participate in a tournament formatted SAHM event.
SAHM is a month-long celebration of the heritages of people with roots in the South Asian countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.
This weekend we thought we would add a bit more excitement to City’s usual inclusive Sunday Academy session, with a mini tournament bringing in 16 junior teams from across the North West to battle it out for our inaugural SAHM Cup.
One of the coaches at the event, Hassan, is part of City’s Junior Academy coaching staff, helping coach an impressive handful of South Asian players beginning to progress in the Academy while also developing his own coaching skills to take back to his community and coach more children within the South Asian community.
And while at the event, he was extremely thankful of how much City has supported him so far on his journey and the support the Club has shown it’s South Asian fanbase.
“As a Manchester City fan, like everyone’s dream, to be a part of the Club is massive,” said Hassan.
“I’m a Junior Academy coach at City so I help coach a handful of the age groups under 10 years old. I’ve been here a full year and it’s a massive opportunity that I feel extremely blessed to have.
“These events and coaching at City has been one of my biggest achievements and now to have the opportunity to take back what I learn to my community is fantastic.
“The sessions City run on a weekly basis are fantastic.
“And it’s proof that clubs like City provide opportunities for South Asians in football.
Hassan’s father, Bash, runs his own Academy in Bradford. It’s from his Academy that City now have almost 12 South Asian children part of City’s young Academy squads.
And helping City find diverse players from his own community is something he takes great pride in.
“I’ve been involved with the Club for the last 18 months or so and I think Man City have been amazing to us,” began Bash.
“They are giving loads of opportunities to South Asian kids. I think at the moment we’ve got 12 kids from the heart of Bradford training at City three times a week across a variety of levels.
“City have also entrusted me that if I come across any South Asian talent in the Bradford area to pass them on and that is a great honour for me, to help potentially begin the journey of a South Asian player at City is just amazing for me.
“I’ve been coaching 31 years and I’ve never seen facilities like what City allow us to use. All the parents and kids every time they come have always said ‘wow, this is where Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland play!’.
“For them to feel so connected to the Club is special,” Bash continued.
“And the whole event here today has been outstanding, in my 31 years of coaching we were never invited to anything like this before. City, however, have opened the door for us. The whole event has been amazing with a great atmosphere, the organisation, everything!
“My advice to South Asians is that there are opportunities out there, go grab them and showcase your talent. So keep working hard and show a bit of magic!”
We would also like to congratulate Frame 2 Academy Boys and Daneshouse Academy Girls on their respective trophy wins at the festival.
To find out more about our South Asian football activations, please contact the Club at mancity@mancity.com.
View the best images from our South Asian Heritage Month event via the gallery below…
