Local Sikhs Celebrate Vaisakhi
Members Of Sikh Footballing Community Give Insight Into Local Football And The Vaisakhi Holy Day.
We recently interviewed two prominent members of the local Sikh footballing community and discussed their roles within football and their recent celebrations of the Holy Day of Vaisakhi (14th April). Vaisakhi is the festival which marks the start of the Sikh New Year and celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa. During the festival, Gudwaras (Sikh places of worship) are decorated and visited and the day is marked by colourful parades, dancing and holy songs.
Kenny Birk started an adult football club in 2010 called Eccleshill Punjab, aimed at Ethnic Minority individuals not already involved with teams. Since then the club has developed and now is proud to be one of the most diverse teams in the County. The club has ambitions to continue its climb through the divisions of the Bradford Sunday Alliance and self-proclaimed Founder, Chairman, Owner and part time Football Player, Kenny will play an integral role in this as he hopes to give more opportunities to local young people to play Affiliated Football.
Former West Riding County FA Development Officer, Pav Singh is well known to the footballing community in West Yorkshire and in his current role as County Coach Developer for the Leicestershire and Rutland County, looks to inspire and develop the next generation of coaches. Pav detailed his own journey in terms of football, his family and his increased understanding of the Vaisakhi festival. He also spoke about using the teachings and ways of the Guru’s to develop “Super Coaches” within his role, who are creative, prepared to take risks and can solve problems.
West Riding County FA would like to thank both Kenny and Pav for taking part in the interviews and we would love to hear more from the people in our County involved with football who are working in an inclusive way to encourage people from all backgrounds to take part in the game.
If you would like any more information then please contact Asad Qureshi, our Football Development Officer (Inclusion) at asad.qureshi@westridingfa.com.