The South Asian region encompasses eight nations (Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and India), 2.04 billion people and 5.2 million square kilometres – equalling 10% of the Asian continent.
Despite the region’s size and population, the number of players who are from or can represent the region is minimal. In the UK alone, more than four million people have South Asian heritage, but the region’s representation in football is scarce.
The FA have introduced a three-year plan targeted at improving the representation of South Asians within English football. It is additionally being run to increase diversity and equality within British football. The number of inclusions is already rising, and players are changing the narratives surrounding stereotypes about British-born South Asians in football. The BBC reported that there were 22 pro players with South Asian heritage aged 17 or over in England’s top four leagues in the 2023/24 season – a 29% rise from the season before.
With Premier League winner and Loughborough-born Hamza Choudhury opting to represent Bangladesh, here are five up-and-coming South Asian ballers in the 92 and beyond.
Vimal Yoganathan: After coming through the youth ranks at Prestatyn Town, then moving to Liverpool and Barnsley, the 19-year-old midfielder is currently playing for Oldham Athletic (on loan from Barnsley). Yoganathan is a Welsh national and has represented the nation at U-19. He is of Sri Lankin Tamil descent and became the first player of such descent to play a professional senior game of English football in 2023. His career is still in the early stages, and he is gaining crucial experience in the National League, with hopes to play in the EFL next season.
Farhaan Ali Wahid: An exciting, upcoming prospect is coming through the ranks in West London. At only 18 years old, the young winger has already represented Fulham at the U-21 level. This season, he has been playing in the U-18 Premier League, making 14 appearances, scoring five, and creating three. He has represented England U-15 but is eligible to represent Bangladesh if he chooses.
Safia Middleton-Patel: Liverpool and Manchester United youth player Middleton-Patel is making waves in women’s football. The Welsh international has represented her nation at the highest level. She made her debut for Wales in 2023 at only 18 years old. The young goalkeeper has already played for six clubs at age 20, including Coventry, Blackburn and Watford. Born and raised in Wales, she is half-Indian and thus eligible to represent the south Asian nation. Despite her heavy amount of loan spells, Middleton-Patel is back representing Manchester United and looks to be a name many more people will know very soon.
Sai Sachdev: At only 20 years old, Sachdev plays for Sheffield United in the EFL Championship. The youngster quickly became a popular name in Sheffield, but an unfortunate and serious injury kept him sidelined for the season. After sustaining a broken leg in a U-21 game against the Wolves in September, Sachdev has been on the road to recovery. The right-back has a promising future and will look to return to the pitch safely and on time. Born and raised in Leicester, Sachdev has represented England at youth level, but is also eligible to play for India.
Layla Aliya Banaras: At only 16 years old, Banaras became Birmingham City’s first person of South Asian heritage to represent the team professionally – she is of British and Pakistani descent. Now, at 19 years old, the young full-back has captained her girlhood team to victory in the U-21 cup final. She has represented Birmingham since she was eight and has been rising through the ranks ever since. With Birmingham women’s first team fighting for promotion to the WSL, don’t be surprised if you see Banaras breaking through on the big stage.
Although these players are making their own waves, they are part of a small pool. With ongoing efforts in the 92 and beyond to make football more accessible and diverse, there are hopes to see more South Asian players rise through the ranks.
Britain has seen South Asian players represent various nations, such as Ricky Hill and Aman Dosanj; many more players are just waiting to be discovered. The rise is here.
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