'Long way to go' for South Asian footballers

There is a "long way to go" in improving South Asian representation in football, a player has said.

Wolverhampton-born Kam Kandola, who plays for Hereford FC, said he hoped to see more players of a similar background to him getting involved in grassroots football at a younger age.

"Football wise, we're a minority in how many you're seeing," he said. "You can still probably count [South Asian players] on one [or] two hands unfortunately."

The defender recently won the Non-League Player of the Year award at the 2026 Asian Football Awards, a recognition which he described as "massive".

"I'm very proud of where I come from. I'm proud of trying to be a role model," he told BBC Radio WM.

"I've done stuff in the past with trying to include more Asians and get more people involved in the game, because I've done it."

Kandola joined Wolves Academy aged eight and spent 13 years at the club before moving into non-league football.

The 22-year-old later spent two seasons with Kidderminster, before he joined Hereford FC on a two-year deal in June.

According to the Football Association (FA), more South Asian people are playing, coaching and refereeing across all levels of English football, but still only make up just over 1% of those competing at an elite level.

For Kandola, improving that representation starts at a grassroots level, with younger South Asian players having role models they could look up to.

AFC Telford United defender Mal Benning was one example, he added.

"He's had an incredible career, played 500 games in the league," Kandola said.

"Kids probably don't understand how good that is, but any player in the game, they [would] snap your hand off.

"[It is about] just seeing more people in the game, and hopefully we can continue to push."

Kandola said his dream was to play football at the "highest level possible", and he hoped eligibility rule changes could one day allow him to represent India internationally.

"I really hope they change the restrictions and I'm able to play for India," he said. I'd love that opportunity."

"I think there's nothing better than representing your country and I'm proud of where I've come from," he added.

Baljit Rihal, founder of the Asian Football Awards, said it was launched in 2012 because too many South Asian football stories and achievements "simply weren't being seen".

He described how 14 years later, there had been progress and recognition which would hopefully inspire the next generation.

"The challenge now is to make sure the scouting pathways and opportunities are there to really find it and develop it," he said.

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