First-team squad member Brandon Khela is being sponsored by Blues 4 All.

Khela is the first British South Asian to sign a professional contract with a football club.

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Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News at the time, Blues 4 All, who are affiliated to the Fans for Diversity campaign, described the news as huge.

The group decided to sponsor Lucy Thomas this season after being inspired by fellow supporters' club the Punjabi Rams, who have sponsored Kira Rai for a fifth season.

Micky Singh, group chair of the Blues 4 All, explained why they wanted to sponsor Khela.

"I've supported Blues for over 60 years and have waited a very long time to see a Punjabi kid come up through the ranks here at the club," Singh said.

Brandon is one of a few youngsters from South Asian background trying to break through and he has a lot of potential.

Riya Mannu lines up a free-kick
Image: Academy youngster Riya Mannu is a set-piece specialist

Despite the slow response from football to tackle South Asian under-representation in the men's and women's professional game, Blues are supporting talent.

Singh: Khela and Sachdev offer 'genuine belief'

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Khela was a member of the England youth team over the summer.

The England U18 international came off the bench to make his debut for the club in their Championship game at the Britannia Stadium.

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What a great occasion for Sai and his family, as well as many other people from all walks of life.

Brandon and Sai give South Asians the belief that they too can play in the game.

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The 'Raise Your Game Rovers' event will be held at Ewood Park on October 22nd and will be attended by the Blues 4 All.

Kick It Out and the Football Supporters' Association are supporting the Fans for Diversity campaign in order to highlight and open up opportunities for people of South Asian heritage to work in football.

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Bik (L) and Micky Singh Blues 4 All (credit: Roy Smiljanic)
Father and son Micky and Bik Singh tell Micah Richards why they set up Birmingham City supporters' club Blues 4 All. (Micah Richards: Tackling Racism is available on-demand on Sky Documentaries and NOW TV)

An opportunity to meet leading individuals from the industry will be offered at the event, which will be held at Ewood Park's newly refurbished legends lounge.

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Kick It Out's head of development and seasoned anti- discrimination campaigner Troy Townsend is hosting, along with the head of operations at Rovers, and the integration and development manager at the club.

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Blackburn Rovers' integration and development manager Yasir Sufi and head of operations Lynsey Talbot reacting to the club landing the EFL Diversity award, and looking ahead to Ewood Park hosting Eid Day prayers

Sky Sports has inspired countless people by showing the subject in front of millions of eyeballs around the world, and will explain why stakeholders can no longer shy away from their responsibilities to improve South Asian representation in the English game.

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South Asian females are the only dedicated female talent spotters in football. He has been working with the families of elite- potential female footballers from South Asian background for 18 months, with two of them moving to West Ham to play academy football this summer.

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British South Asians in football have been overlooked in the past.

Everyone is welcome at Ewood Park." It's important that events like this highlight success and best practice in order to encourage more British South Asians to play.

How Sky is trying to make change

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Sky Sports announced a partnership with Sporting Equals to support the charity’s ambition of inspiring more opportunities for British South Asians in football

Sky Sports recognised and began taking steps to address the lack of British South Asian representation in English football - particularly in elite women's football - back in 2020 as part of its £30m commitment to tackle systemic racism.

Less than 10% of players in the Women's Super League are from a diverse ethnic background. Despite the fact that South Asian women are the largest ethnic minority in the country, the number of British South Asian professionals in the top division is minuscule.

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Sky Sports has worked with dozens of current and former players from different ethnic groups to try and inspire the next generation of football players.

As part of Sky Sports' commitment to British South Asians in Football, female talent has been identified and signposted to the Football Association and other international federations, and professional clubs.

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A number of elite and potential female players and their families have been supported with off-field opportunities.

The 'Seeing Is Believing' event for the century-old west London sports club Indian Gymkhana was one of the ways Sky Sports supported participation across the country.

British South Asians in Football

Stay up to date with Sky Sports News and Sky Sports digital by visiting the South Asians in Football page on skysports.com.