Inaugural Asian Cricket Awards launch - Celebrating Asians in cricket

Asian Cricket Awards 2014 Launch

This coming weekend is an important one in the sport of cricket.

Not only does it herald the start of the county season and the final of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, but it also marks the beginning of a campaign that will culminate in October with the inaugural Asian Cricket Awards.

The awards, sponsored by Talk Home Mobile, are open to people with south Asian heritage as well as those dedicated to increasing Asian participation in British cricket.

The awards were launched last week at Lord’s by the former Conservative party chairman, Baroness Warsi, and the home of cricket will also host the gala awards ceremony, which takes place on Tuesday, 7th October.

From international stars to the vibrant amateur game, up-and-coming youngsters, coaches, media, behind-the-scenes staff and unsung heroes will be honoured at the Asian Cricket Awards.

High-profile ambassadors for the event include current England international Moeen Ali, former England stars Vikram Solanki and Min Patel, and Wasim Khan MBE, a former first-class cricketer with Warwickshire, Sussex and Derbyshire, and now the chief executive officer of the sporting charity Chance to Shine.

Moeen Ali, part of England’s T20 World Cup squad, said: “Asians throughout the UK make an enormous contribution to all aspects of the game. It’s great to see their input celebrated in such a positive way at the home of cricket.”

Wasim Khan said: “The Asian Cricket Awards are hugely important and celebrate the achievement of south Asians in the sport, from the England team to those playing all round the country and the many volunteers who make it possible.

“The England & Wales Cricket Board is doing lots of work with south Asian communities to encourage involvement at all levels.”

Former England captain Mike Gatting, now managing director of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Cricket Partnerships programme, said: “The south Asian community makes an enormous contribution to cricket in England and Wales and these awards are a fantastic way of recognising that.”

David Collier, chief executive of the ECB, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this high-profile and important event.

“We acknowledge the enormous contribution that Asians make across all codes of our game and we are delighted that the Asian Cricket Awards will recognise this contribution.”

ACA co-founder Baljit Rihal said: “The Asian Cricket Awards will be a star studded event with dignitaries from the world of cricket as well as prominent celebrities and players. With an anticipated audience of over 500, it promises to be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate inspirational British Asians in cricket.”

Nominations for the 2014 Asian Cricket Awards can be made via the official website www.asiancricketawards.co.uk from Thursday 1 May, and will close at the end of August.

The judging panel includes: Baroness Warsi and former England cricketers Min Patel and Mike Gatting OBE.

2014 JUDGING PANEL & AWARD CATEGORIES

The judging panel for the 2014 Asian Cricket Awards, sponsored by Talk Home Mobile, is as follows:

- The Rt Hon. the Baroness Warsi (senior minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs)- John Barclay (former president of the Marylebone Cricket Club)- Tony Matharu (chief executive officer of Grange Hotels)- Min Patel (former England cricketer)- Mike Gatting OBE (former England cricket captain and managing director of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s cricket partnerships)- Anjum Tahirkheli (director of International Development Associates, founder of Basic Human Rights UK)- The Lord Noon MBE (founder Noon Products)- The Lord Patel KT (professor of Obstetrics, rtd; chancellor University of Dundee)- Jane Hannah (ECB national volunteer and participation manager)- Scyld Berry (cricket correspondent, Sunday Telegraph; editor Wisden)

The judging panel will be deciding the following awards:

- Grassroots- Amateur Player of the Year- Professional Young Player of the Year (sponsored by Air India)- Woman in Cricket- Coach of the Year (sponsored by the England & Wales Cricket Board)- Media (sponsored by Getty Images)- Community Development Project of the Year- Behind the Scenes- Asian Cricket Team of the Year (sponsored by Waitrose)- Inspiration- Lifetime Achievement- Professional Player of the Year (sponsored by Talk Home Mobile)