On November 26, 2024, Harmander Singh, founder of Sporting Equals Associate Members Sikhs in the City, was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement and Service Award at the House of Commons. This accolade marks over 45 years of his remarkable contributions across diverse fields including public service, education, faith and community development, media, politics, and sports.

Championing Workplace Equity

Harmander’s journey of advocacy began in 1978 as Vice President of his college’s Student Union. His commitment to worker rights was demonstrated through his leadership roles in the National and Local Government Officers’ Association (NALGO), later UNISON, from 1985 to 2007. His work with the Employment Forum and initiatives such as the “Faith & Finance” seminar series demonstrated his innovative approach to workplace equity. Notably, he introduced the Quality Assurance Faith Charter Mark for Employers, setting benchmarks for faith-sensitive employment practices.

Transforming Education, Health, and Social Care

Harmander’s impact extended to education as a Parent Governor and Vice-Chair at multiple schools over 13 years, alongside roles as an Ofsted Lay Inspector and youth worker. His influence reached the health sector through roles with the General Medical Council, Healthcare Commission, and as a Social Services Inspector. By championing safeguarding practices and personalisation in social care through projects like LocalCarers Ltd, Harmander transformed the way communities support their most vulnerable members.

Faith and Community Development Leadership

In 1995, Harmander co-founded Sikhs in England, a pioneering social policy think-tank. He drafted a visionary 25-year Sikh community development plan and co-authored resources to empower faith-led organizations. His work with the Faiths Forum for London that he was instrumental in establishing in 2010 and various interfaith initiatives has been instrumental in fostering cohesion and addressing community tensions. Recognized with an Honorary Fellowship from the University of East London, his legacy continues to inspire grassroots and policy-level changes.

Advocacy in Media and Politics

With over 100 hours of hosting current affairs programs and contributions to national media, Harmander has amplified diverse voices on cultural, immigration, and societal issues. As a coach and speechwriter, he has empowered aspiring politicians from underrepresented communities, showcasing his commitment to inclusion.

Justice and Crime Prevention

As one of the longest-serving Justices of the Peace of Asian origin since 1993, Harmander has been a pillar in the justice system. He has worked with the Metropolitan Police and the Counter Terrorism Advisory Group to promote ethics, community safety, and the strategic management of critical incidents.

Marathoner, Coach, and Advocate for Sport

Harmander’s passion for running has seen him complete over 300 half-marathons and 190 full marathons, including the prestigious six World Marathon Majors. A coach to Fauja Singh, the world’s oldest marathoner, and double Paralympian Louise Simpson, he has mentored over 360 runners to complete their first marathon. As President of Sikhs in the City, a diverse running club, he has fostered inclusivity in sports while promoting health and well-being.

A Legacy of Dedication

Harmander Singh’s extraordinary contributions span decades and disciplines, reflecting his unyielding commitment to service and empowerment. As he stood in the House of Commons to receive his Lifetime Achievement and Service Award, it was not just a celebration of his accomplishments but also a testament to the countless lives he has touched and inspired.

The award is a fitting tribute to a life spent in the relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and community cohesion. Harmander Singh’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations to lead with purpose and compassion.

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‘I founded Imaan Active in 2019 whilst at university, after struggling to find activewear that was both modest and functional. I identified a gap in the market for stylish, affordable clothing that met the needs of modesty-conscious women, particularly Muslim women. This personal frustration, combined with my commitment to empower women on their fitness journeys, was the key driver behind the Imaan Active’s launch​.’

How has being part of Krimmz Girls helped with your fitness journey?

‘Krimmz is a fantastic initiative targeting women from underrepresented groups to participate in sports. I’ve had the privilege to be a participant of many of the sports groups Krimmz hosts, from Skiing, to Cycling, to Netball. I would never have tried these activities otherwise and have learnt key skills across all these sports!’

What has been your highlight of being the founder of Imaan Active?

‘There have been many highlights amongst the 5 year journey of Imaan Active – from quitting my full-time job to dedicate myself entirely to Imaan Active, growing a supportive community of over 100,000 women and making it on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list reflecting the impact of Imaan Active on women globally. But when I reflect, my highlight is always the daily interactions I have with women discussing how Imaan Active has given them the confidence to do the things they love, whether that’s in the gym, playing sports or in the pool!’

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced along the way and how have you overcome this?

‘I started Imaan Active as a university student with no prior experience in fashion or business. It was a steep learning curve – overcoming these initial barriers required persistence and a deep commitment to Imaan Active’s vision.‘

What has been your best selling products?

‘Our best-seller from our Sports Range is the Relaxed Fit Top which is the ultimate all-round fitness top. It boasts longer coverage, a zipped pocket for belongings and sweat-wicking fabric. From our swimwear line, the viral Ayah Cover up has been our best-seller. I designed this piece as many women struggle with swimwear clinging onto the body when wet, this cover-up was a game-changer for our community!’

What has been the best event you’ve hosted?

‘Our ‘Stronger with Imaan’ Event was a great success to our community, with the key aim of empowering women on their strength training journey. The event covered techniques on how to perform squats, deadlifts and bench press in a safe and efficient way. It was great to see the girls increase their confidence over the course of the session.’

What has been the most inspiring piece of feedback you’ve received?

‘The best piece of advice I’ve received is to dream big. This advice resonates strongly with my journey, as I started Imaan Active while still a university student, despite having no prior experience in fashion or business. The ambitious vision of Imaan Active and filling a gap in the modest activewear/swimwear market drove me to overcome these challenges and achieve milestones like making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list​.

This guiding principle underscores my message to others, particularly women from underrepresented backgrounds, to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams despite societal or personal barriers.’

We are proud to hear of Misbah’s journey and all that she has achieved. To find out more information about Imaan Active visit their website https://imaanactive.co.uk/

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Working alongside partners, Sporting Equals, AKD Solutions, Equity Coach, West Riding County FA, and Yorkshire Cricket Board, the scheme will provide up to 20 people with the opportunity to benefit from a five-day leadership programme between February and June 2025.

Those enrolling on the scheme will also be provided with access to online learning modules to provide greater background knowledge including on the history of ‘race’ and sport.

In-person workshops will include providing an overview of the sporting systems and structures in the UK; development of a personal plan to support a person’s aspirations; and support to provide skills, knowledge and insights necessary for Non-Executive Director roles within national governing bodies (NGB’s) or other sports organisations.

Alongside the training for individuals, a one-day anti-racism workshop has been scheduled for leaders within organisations. The workshop will improve their understanding of how to attract applications for leadership roles from people with a diverse ethnic background.

The Perrett Laver report (2020) found that the proportion of board members from ethnically diverse backgrounds in sports organisations was less than half the national average (7.9% vs 18%).

Nigel Harrison, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Sport Foundation, said: “We know from our own recruitment in recent years that while we are attracting more ethnically diverse candidates, this is not consistently translating into those making it to the interview stage, particularly for senior roles including on our Board of Trustees.

“It’s also very evident that there is a lack of representation across the sector in those senior roles and working alongside our partners we want to change that. We believe that ‘Lead the Change’ will give people the confidence, resilience and sector understanding to be best placed to help change the narrative on leadership roles in sport and physical activity.”

Paul Reddish, speaking on behalf of the consortium of Sporting Equals, AKD Solutions, and Equity Coach, added: “Increasing diversity of boards and leadership roles, and a focus on ensuring those in positions feel included and valued is a vital and important component of organisations addressing issues of representation and inequality across sport. 

“We are looking forward to doing our bit to support Yorkshire Sport Foundation and partners in delivering a programme that starts to address these issues locally.  

“It is the first time that AKD Solutions, Sporting Equals and Equity Coach have collaborated on a project like this, and we are excited to see how the sum of our parts together can create a great learning environment for all those involved.”

“The Yorkshire Cricket Board are proud to be partners of Lead the Change and acknowledge the need and value in supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds to become skilled board members,” said Mo Hussain, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the Yorkshire Cricket Board.

“We believe that sports governance and organisations will always be richer in terms of impact and culture if their governing bodies have true representation of the communities they serve, and this programme will surely help with this journey.”

“West Riding FA is thrilled to partner with Yorkshire Sport Foundation and Yorkshire Cricket on the ‘Lead the Change’ project,” added Hannah Simpson, CEO at West Riding County Football Association.

“This initiative is about breaking down barriers and ensuring that people from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds have the support, skills, and confidence to aspire to—and achieve—leadership roles, including positions on company boards. Together, we are committed to fostering greater representation and driving meaningful change across our communities.”

For more details and to apply, visit http://www.yorkshiresport.org/LeadTheChange

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Alex Yee: years to come. When Alex (GBR) took the bell, he found himself 15 seconds off leader Hayden Wilde (NZL) and was staring at a second successive individual Olympic silver. What came next was nothing short of extraordinary, as Wilde started to feel the heat and the Brit slowly reeled him in, passing just before the final turn to the blue carpet and taking the tape and a second Games gold. 

Johnny Buffong: Over the past 12 months, Johnny has achieved remarkable success in the sport of accuracy landing. He has excelled in both the Accuracy Landing Grand Prix and the National Championships, earning an overall medal in recognition of his outstanding performance. This significant achievement was celebrated at British Skydiving’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), solidifying Johnny’s position as one of the leading athletes in his discipline. 
Johnny’s  progress has been nothing short of exceptional, as he continues to improve with each competition. His dedication to refining his accuracy and consistency in skydiving has not only led to competitive success but also showcased his commitment to personal development in the sport.  

Samuel Reardon: Samuel was a late call up for Team GB this summer after a member of Britain’s 4x400m squad was forced to withdraw from the Games through injury, and the Team GB asked Reardon to take his place.  Reardon went on to help his Team GB land bronze in both the men’s 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay. 

Sam came to victory on the night winning the Sixes Social Cricket Sportsman of the Year Award alongside Sporting Equals Ambassadors Christine Ohuruogu MBE, Azeem Rafiq and Tim Bowden, CEO of Vantage Capital Partners Ltd.

Speaking of his win Sam said, “I’m over the moon, I can’t believe I’ve got the Sportsman of the Year Award!”

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This year we had strong nominations and narrowed it down to a very strong shortlist. The winner of the award was Akbar Khan. Akbar Khan has played an incredible role in making Bradford PHAB Club what it is today. He started attending the club as a 9-year-old to support his disabled brothers after his family was referred to PHAB Club by the local special school. When his brothers both passed away at the age of 16, he decided he would continue to give back to the community and support other disabled children for the rest of his life. He is now 59 and chairman of the club, throughout the Covid-19 lockdown he supported members, and he inspires and motivates others by taking the lead in everything that PHAB delivers to its members today. 

Along with Akbar Khan, Adekanmi Abayomi and Asher Robinson, are two great candidates who also have done great work within their communities.

Adekanmi set up Ethnic Minority Sports Organisation Northern Ireland (EMSONI) in 2018 which is now the leading intercultural sport development organisation in Northern Ireland whose aim is to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in sports. He has been able to bring out the best in the other volunteers to drive the organization, and in 2022, the organisation was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the volunteers’ selflessness in helping others. 

Asher is on a personal mission to make the sport of sailing a place where Black and Asian communities feel they belong. Facing many challenges in his progress in the sport, he has been instrumental in the creation, delivery, and refinement of the Royal Yachting Association – RYA’s East London Instructor Project, giving young people from ethnically diverse communities the training, support, and confidence to know that they too can have a place as qualified instructors and be the next generation of leaders in the sport.  His work is impacting community sailing venues across the city who are welcoming instructors from a wide range of backgrounds who never previously had these opportunities. 

We congratulate all our three finalists on the incredible work which they have carried out in their communities and look forward to seeing all that they achieve over the comming year.

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Earlier this year the LTA hosted the Tennis Black List event for the second year, recognising role models from black and mixed black heritage communities and contributions across all levels of tennis. In addition to this it supported the launch of the ‘Black Tennis Collective’ - five pioneering organisations from the black tennis community forming a powerful collaboration with the LTA to increase visibility and participation within the black community in tennis. 

Throughout the year the LTA and LTA Tennis Foundation celebrates cultural and religious moments, such as Black History Month, Ramadan, and Diwali, which this year included colleagues sharing their traditions fostering greater understanding, empathy, and connection within the organisation. 

We received a high volume of votes in our LTA Tennis Foundation Community Tennis Award with it being the category with the third highest amount of votes of all award categories and over 450 votes on the day voting opened alone.  

In the category we had three incredible finalists who were as follows;  

Black Tennis Mentors  

The creation of the Black Tennis Mentors UK CIC was prompted by the recognition of systemic barriers faced by the Black tennis community in the UK. Despite the rich history and potential of black athletes in tennis, there remains a significant lack of representation within the sport. Black Tennis Mentors UK CIC is a mentorship platform dedicated to supporting the Black tennis community in the UK. Their mission is to provide tailored guidance, coaching, and resources to aspiring black tennis players, coaches, volunteers, officials, student-athletes, health and fitness instructors, media and marketing managers, event managers, and others interested in the sport.  

Breaking Barriers Tennis Association  

Breaking Barriers Tennis Association (BBTA) aims to break down barriers to; perception, cost, accessibility, weather and barriers through; social, mental and physical benefits through tennis for underrepresented communities. The programme works to integrate children from non-traditional tennis playing backgrounds into a traditional tennis environment, to experience playing tennis and reap the benefits of the sport – working to truly open up the game. BBTA have partnered four tennis centres which are all accessible for some of the most deprived areas of Leeds. The project is about breaking down barriers to offer fun, good quality, consistent coaching in good tennis facilities.  

Rising Stars Tennis Academy  

Rising Stars Tennis Academy provides tennis classes for players of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, with inclusion sitting at the heart of the programme. The team believe all players are equal, as they are tennis players before anything else. The sessions look at the technical aspects, physical aspects and the mental aspects. Equipment is provided for all players who attend and keep the classes small so players can get the individual attention they need to progress. 

On the night it was Black Tennis Mentors who stormed to victory with over 46% of the total vote. The award was presented to member of Black Tennis Mentors team including Co-Founders Arum Akom and Jabilayh Asante by Chair of LTA Tennis Foundation Tim Lawler MBE and Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Gold Medallist Ayaz Bhuta MBE. 

Speaking of the win on the night Arum Said ‘Any of us could have won, we’re all doing amazing work, within a similar field its about trying to break barriers. To be amongst those individuals is an amazing achievement.’  

Since their award win Black Tennis Mentors have featured had features on the LTA’s website https://www.lta.org.uk/news/the-black-tennis-mentors-reveal-how-history-can-help-enact-meaningful-change-for-the-black-community-and-beyond/ and with The Voice https://www.voice-online.co.uk/sport/tennis/2024/10/10/black-tennis-collective-to-serve-up-something-different/.  

We wish all of finalists the best of luck with their ongoing projects! 

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Congratulations to Swim Design Space on being named the Swim England Aquatics Champion of the Year at the Sporting Equals Awards 2024! This prestigious recognition is a testament to their innovative contributions to aquatics and commitment to driving excellence and inclusion in the sport.

Swim Design Space, a Swim England-approved swim school, in collaboration with Lives of Colour, has significantly increased participation in aquatics among ethnically diverse communities by developing and implementing inclusive, affordable, and culturally sensitive programs. Recognising the barriers that individuals from various ethnic backgrounds face, they have tailored their swimming programs to meet their specific needs. Through this partnership, they offer subsidised lessons to ensure financial accessibility and provide essential swimming equipment, such as swim caps, kickboards, and goggles, removing another potential barrier to participation.

In the Aquatics Champion category there were two other finalists: Cycle Sisters and Opening Boundaries. Cycle Sisters, through its Tri Sisters project, has increased participation in aquatics among Muslim women, a demographic that has traditionally been underrepresented in swimming. The project has been instrumental in breaking down barriers that prevent Muslim women from engaging in these activities by offering women-only swimming lessons and open water coaching sessions, which have, so far, reached over 105 unique participants. These sessions are designed specifically to cater to the cultural and religious needs of Muslim women, providing a safe and supportive environment where they can build skills and confidence in swimming. 

Another great organisation: Opening Boundaries. Opening Boundaries is a not-for-profit sporting organisation campaigning globally to use the power of sport as a tool for peace, whilst raising the awareness of community cohesion, positive health and gender equality. Their aspiration is to provide individuals with opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity, regardless of their background, with a key emphasis on women and girls. Following the covid pandemic and the restrictions on exercise, Opening Boundaries was made aware of the mental, physical and medical impact that a lack of exercise was having on ethnically diverse women, particularly a group of Pakistani ladies. Due to medical issues such as diabetes and arthritis, swimming was recommended by doctors as an activity that would benefit them greatly.

Fiona May, a former track and field Olympian and Luther Burrell, a former professional rugby player joined comedian Judi Love on stage in presenting the award category, shining the light on the winner Swim Design Space.

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PLAY SPORTZ, founded in 2017 by chair Minesh, are a non-profit organisation based out of Westhoughton. They provide a safe environment and platform for the children of the local community in coming together and taking part in various sports. 

Krimmz Girls Youth Club, founded by Khadija, further provisions and resources for young girls, from ethnically diverse backgrounds residing in Bolton – through a youth club setting. They also promote social welfare and inclusion, providing recreational and leisure time activities. 

The tournament between the two groups took place on 20^th October with around one hundred people in attendance including players, spectators, coaches, and guest umpires. One of the guest umpires was Sporting Equals Activator Michelle who has been helping support our Associate Members in Northwest through the GirlsPowered programme. 

There was over two hours of competitive play which took place with the players displaying their incredible talent and scoring some incredible goals throughout the event. It was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to socialise and take part in fun and engaging sports sessions.  

The positive impact of the tournament is already evident, with more young people looking to take part and join Play Sportz and Krimmz. As well as some parents who had spectated looking to join the coaching team at Play Sportz.  

A huge well done and congratulations to Minesh, Khadija and wider members on organising such an incredible event, we do hope to see more collaboration across our membership base.  

For more information on both organisations please visit https://www.play-sportz.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/krimmz_girls/ 

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A valued friend of Sporting Equals, Montell has supported The Sporting Equals Awards for many years and served on the judging panel for the 2023 Sporting Equals Awards ceremony. Reflecting on the organisation’s work at last year’s awards, Montell shared:

“Coming to these awards is always something that you realize we never knew we needed before they started, and now we can’t do without them. I’m really glad we’re able to celebrate alongside like-minded individuals who are passionate about inclusivity and diversity.”

Now, Montell is embracing a brand-new challenge as a contestant in the 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing. Partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe, she has wowed audiences and judges alike, securing her place in the final six with just three weeks to go until the grand finale.

We wish Montell the very best this weekend and hope to see those coveted 10s!

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November marked the start of a brand-new four-year international Netball Test series between England and Jamaica, named the Horizon Series! Both are strong netballing nations, with England currently ranked second in the world and Jamaica fourth.

The series’ first weekend of test matches was held at the AO Arena in Manchester and broadcast live on the BBC. Sporting Equals SMAP Panellist and former England Netball captain Ama Agbeze MBE is part of the presenting team for the series. Speaking about the series, Ama said, “This series represents not just a contest between two incredible teams, but a celebration of the talent and determination that netball brings to the global stage. It’s a thrilling time for the sport.”

The first two matches resulted in a 49–49 draw and a 55–49 win for England. Match 3 and 4 are taking place this week with Jamaica winning last nights game 50 – 49. Heading into match 4 this evening, it’s a 1–1 draw. This evenings match will be held at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica.

The 15-strong squad competing in the series includes Halimat Adio, Imogen Allison, Amy Carter, Beth Cobden, Funmi Fadoju, Alice Harvey, Helen Housby, Hannah Joseph, Berri Neil, Lois Pearson, Razia Quashie, Ellie Rattu, Jess Shaw, Francesca Williams, and Liv Tchine.

We wish the Vitality Roses the best of luck! To watch the previous games and tune in to tonight’s match, head over to BBC Sport Netball Live.

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