Great Britains first British Asian women’s basketball head coach Krumesh Patel and Sporting Pathways champion Salma Bi Bem awarded for their contributions to the sporting world.
Sporting Equals brought together some of the most influential voices in sport for an unforgettable evening at its flagship Sporting Equals Awards ceremony, held on Saturday 18 April 2026 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Now in its ninth edition, the awards unite leaders, community organisations, and partners from across the sporting landscape to honour those driving real and lasting progress in race equality and inclusion. It was a night marked by celebration, reflection, and a renewed commitment to ensuring sport is a space where everyone feels they belong.
Among the evening’s most prestigious honours were the Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented to Maggie Alphonsi MBE and Roland Butcher.
Krumesh Patel, the first British Asian to be appointed Head Coach of the Great Britain Women’s National Basketball Team,claimed the England Athletics Coach of the Year award. Also winning on the night was Salma Bi BEM, who took home the FA Community Champion of the Year award, recognising her work leading Sporting Pathways CIC in Birmingham.
A standout moment of the evening saw Maro Itoje named Sportsman of the Year. Also shortlisted in the category was Amo Singh, who became the first Sikh winner of the National Amateur Boxing Championship, a historic achievement that saw him go on to win multiple international gold medals and earn selection for England squads.
It was also a landmark night in the Sportswoman of the Year category, won by Sadia Kabeya MBE for her outstanding performances in rugby union. Shortlisted alongside her was Aya Hijazi, who made history as the first Hijabi boxer to represent England, winning the National Amateur Championships after returning from injury and claiming international gold and silver medals on her way to the shortlist.
The awards highlighted the breadth of talent and leadership across the sector, celebrating not only elite sporting success but also the vital work being undertaken at grassroots and community levels to break down barriers and create opportunities.
Salma Bi BEM, FA Community Champion of the Year: “This recognition is not just for me. It belongs to every young person who has walked through the doors of Sporting Pathways and every volunteer who has given their time to make it happen. Sport has the power to transform lives, and in Birmingham we see that every single day.”
Krumesh Patel, England Athletics Coach of the Year: “I hope seeing me win this award sends a message to every young British Asian who has ever felt that coaching at the highest level wasn’t for them. Representation doesn’t just matter on the court, the pitch or in the arena, it matters in every role.”
Sporting Equals Chair, Dr Howard Haughton said: “We are proud to celebrate those achieving excellence while actively shaping a more inclusive future, not just for sport, but for society as a whole. These awards recognise individuals and organisations who are not only succeeding at the highest level, but who are also challenging systemic barriers, opening doors, and ensuring that progress in sport reflects the diversity, talent, and potential of our wider communities
Nik Trivedi, Acting CEO of Sporting Equals, said: “The Sporting Equals Awards are about more than recognition they are about influence and impact. The individuals and organisations we celebrated this year are helping to shift the system, creating environments where inclusion is embedded in decision-making and not treated as an afterthought.”
Kyle Kothari, Sporting Equals Ambassador and Olympic Diver said: “The Sporting Equals Awards are a powerful reminder of how important visibility and opportunity are in sport. Seeing South Asian athletes and leaders recognised at this level reflects real progress, but also the work still to be done. It’s inspiring to witness so many individuals breaking new ground and showing the next generation that they belong in every space sport has to offer.”
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