West Ham United’s Rashid Abba has won the Inspiration Award at the 2024 Asian Football Awards.
Abba has been recognised for the outstanding work he has done in his role as the Club’s Academy Link Mentor since 2021, strengthening the Hammers’ links with the South Asian communities of east London.
Working with local grassroots clubs to provide coaching and mentoring players, coaches, parents and staff, Abba has also established a pathway for young players of South Asian heritage to join the Academy of Football with the hope that, one day, West Ham will field a South Asian player in the Premier League.
Abba, who has great experience of working with the local community as West Ham United Foundation’s Employability Manager, began his career as a coach in the Football in the Community Programme, Academy coach and talent scout with Leicester City over 30 years ago, and has become a recognisable and popular figure across east London and beyond.
A true pioneer, he became the first person of South Asian heritage in the country to work in professional football, with his incredible efforts spanning community, recruitment and youth academy departments.
Now, his work in providing strong and meaningful links between West Ham and local Asian clubs, players and coaches has been recognised with his well-deserved first Asian Football Award, which he was presented with at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 25 September.
“I am privileged and honoured to have won an Inspirational Award at the Asian Football Awards,” said Abba. “It’s been a long journey, nearly three-and-a-half decades filled with countless miles across the country and hours of dedication, commitment and obsession to change the narrative and landscape on South Asians in Football.
“The journey continues to inspire the next generation of the diverse talent pool to be involved in the beautiful game.”
This is not the first time Abba has been recognised for his groundbreaking work and commitment to making football a welcoming and open environment for all.
In 2017, he won the FA Recognition Award at the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards and was shortlisted for the Behind The Scenes Award at the Asian Football Awards.
In 2022, he was presented with the Premier League's Community Captain award on behalf of West Ham United, recognising his outstanding impact in the community.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Rashid on winning his first Asian Football Award.
Founded in 2012, the Asian Football Awards recognises British South Asians with heritage from the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.
To find out more about the Academy Link Mentor’s role and how West Ham United is working with the South Asian communities of east London, email Rashid Abba at [email protected].
