Congratulations to FSA Board member Sachin (Sash) Patel who has been nominated in the National Diversity Awards’ Positive Role Model Award for Race, Religion & Faith – the awards are set to take place in Liverpool on Friday 4th October.

Sash is a Spurs season ticket holder, attending the Tottenham Hostpur Stadium with his daughter and brother – and he also co-founded Spurs REACH in May 2022 with Anwar Uddin MBE and Fahim Rahman.

“REACH” stands for Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage and Sash is passionate in his belief that football should be for everyone. He’s worked with the club to play his part in turning that mantra into a reality by promoting inclusion and tackling discrimination. Sash doesn’t actually know who nominated him for the award – but he’s proud and grateful.

“Thank you to whoever nominated me and I am truly humbled. I love the beautiful game, my passion is unrivalled not only as a fan but also as an advocate for making the game I love accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality and social class. I truly believe that embracing our differences can be our greatest strength,” says Sash.

“Football should be for everyone and no one should ever feel like they do not belong. It’s been great to bring people from the community together, celebrate what’s important to them, enhance their experience of the beautiful game, by making sure that clubs, governing bodies and the Government ensure that a diversity, equity and inclusion lens is applied to everything they do with fans being at the heart of all decisions.”

What are the awards about?

The National Diversity Awards are now celebrating their 13th year as they aim to “shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our communities” by recognising the hard work and dedication of individuals, community organisations and events.

Want to know more about Spurs REACH?

• Apply to join Spurs REACH here
• X: @Spurs_REACH
• Instagram: @SpursREACH