South Asian communities and sport

This project examines the exclusion of South Asians from professional sport (as players, coaches and supporters), and it sheds light on the significance of sport as a leisure activity among South Asian communities. This work is informed by race critical theories and methodologies, and foregrounds the ways in which processes of racialisation and racism marginalise and exclude South Asians from this form of popular culture. The project has an overt emphasis on social justice, international collaboration and comparison, and academic-activist partnerships through collaborative work with the Asian Football Network (AFN).

Project timeframes

Project began in 2000 and continues at present.

Project aims

This ongoing project aims are to:

  • analyse the racialised power relations inherent to the exclusion of South Asians from professional sport
  • document the significance of a sport as a leisure activity (as fans and amateur players) in South Asian communities
  • offer practical suggestions to relevant organisations and institutions regarding overcoming exclusion

Project findings and impact

A significant aspect of this project – namely the experiences of British Asian football fans – was funded by the FA Premier League (FAPL). A large scale mixed-method study was undertaken and the findings were presented to representatives of every FAPL club at FAPL Insight Seminars in 2009.

This research is ongoing; output, findings and impact will be updated in due course.

Research team

Dr Daniel Burdsey

Dr Stan Thangaraj, City College New York

Output

Partners

Asian Football Network