Sported member MSA honoured for community opportunities
By Sported | 19 September 2023
Sported member Muslimah Sports Association (MSA) beat seven others in the running for the Community Organisation of the year at the 12th annual National Diversity Awards.
Judges noted how MSA continues to excel and champion South Asian and Muslim female representation in sports, since its inception in 2014, whether that is at participation level, increasing the workforce or representing at an executive level.
MSA has made a positive impact on the community not only on physical wellbeing but also mental wellbeing.
MSA has engaged with over 1,500 participants, created over 100 coaches from diverse communities, across a range of sports and supported National Governing Bodies and stakeholders to better engage with females and create better and more accessible opportunities in sport.
Participants have the opportunity to try a range of sports because safe environments are created by MSA – participants have gone on to pursue their individual sports outside of MSA and achieved many things beyond their expectations – making them exceptional role models.
“MSA are thrilled to win this award in what was a fantastic and tough category,” Yashmin Harun BEM, Chair & Founder MSA, said.
“We would like to thank the NDA judges for recognising the important work we are doing in engaging ethnically diverse women in sports. Quite often Muslim women feel marginalised and excluded, but this evening we were at the forefront and being celebrated.”
“We are proud to support MSA,” said Sported London manager Onyinye Nkemdirim.
“Sported works to remove barriers and grow inclusion to that more females can have access to sport.”
15 winners were unveiled at the awards.
“I’m thrilled to host these awards and give everyone the chance to celebrate the substantial achievements of our fabulously diverse community across a whole range of industries, businesses and charities,” said event host Clare Balding CBE.
“It’s an important spotlight on those who make the world a better place for the full rainbow of society.”
The full list of winners is as follows:
Positive Role Model for Age: Ciara McCarthy
Positive Role Model for Disability: Nicola Carey-Shine
Positive Role Model for Gender: Sylvia Mac
Positive Role Model for LGBT: Dave Moreton
Positive Role Model for Race, Faith & Religion: Yetunde Adeshile
Community Organisation Award for Age: Conscious Youth
Community Organisation Award for Disability: StedyChef’s Learning Centre
Community Organisation Award for Gender: Dope Black Women CIC
Community Organisation Award for LGBT: The Justin Fashanu Foundation
Community Organisation Award for Race, Faith & Religion: Muslimah Sports Association
Community Organisation Award for Multi-strand: Happy Healthy You
Entrepreneur of Excellence: Lyndsay Watterson
Celebrity of the Year: Christine McGuinness
Diverse Company: Kantar
Lifetime Achiever: Dr Amo Raju OBE DL