Sporting Equals - BASA - British Asian Sports Awards, Amir Kahn, Isa Guha, Lebara, Luciano Bacheta

Luciano Bacheta crowned Lebra British Asian Sports Personality of the Year 2011

The British Asian Sports Awards, hosted by Nitin Ganatra and Laila Rouass, took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, and celebrated its tenth anniversary in style with dignitaries from the sporting and showbiz world in attendance to show their support.

Sporting Equals guests experiencing BASA for the first time included
Tessa Sanderson CBE, Di Ellis Chair of British Rowing, Densign Ellis Chair of British Judo, Sally Munday CEO of England Hockey, Paul Elliott MBE, Luther Blissett, Chris Ramsey Assistant Technical Co-Ordinator Tottenham Hotspur and Ambassador Serge Betsen.

The British Asian Sports Awards were launched in 2001 to recognise, honour and celebrate the immense South Asian sporting talent that exists within the UK. It is the only awards ceremony of its kind and over the past ten years has discovered some of Britain’s most successful sports personalities including WBA World Light Welter Weight Champion Amir Khan, along with Sporting Equals Ambassadors England Women’s cricketer Isa Guha and badminton Commonwealth silver medallist Rajiv Ouseph.

The inspiring awards show saw 20 year-old Luciano Bacheta, take home the Lebara British Asian Sports Personality of the Year title, for his outstanding motor-racing achievements in 2010.
Luciano, who is managed by former F1 Champion, Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony Hamilton, began his racing career when he was only 13 years old. Like many F1 drivers, Luciano launched himself in to the world of racing through Karting and he has since gone on to compete in the Formula Palmer Audi Championship. Luciano is currently enjoying his third season in the Formula Renault Eurocup and his performances have seen him awarded membership to the British Racing Drivers Club.
“It’s an overwhelming moment; I still can’t believe I’ve won!” Bacheta said on picking up the award.
“It’s a massive honour and to be honest I was surprised to be nominated for the main award because I see myself as an upcoming driver.
“But it is great to win and hopefully will get my name out there in the Asian community and help me achieve my dream of driving in Formula One.”

The Personality of the Decade Award was created as part of the special celebrations to mark ten years of BASA. Khan was selected from the past 10 year’s winners of the coveted British Asian Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Khan, who has won the BASA Sports Personality of the Year Award three times in the past decade, was recognised not only for his personal sporting achievements since winning his silver medal at the 2004 Olympics and his formidable career over the past six years, but also for the amazing impact he has had in changing perceptions of sport within the Asian community.
In a special video message to guests, Amir said: “This is an amazing award to receive, and I hope that my success will go some way to inspiring all those sporting hopefuls out in the community to believe that they can achieve their dreams too. Without BASA’s recognition all those years ago, I am not sure I would have had the immense support I have from the community. Thank you.”

Two Sporting Equals Future Champions Pavan Sagoo and Ashpal Bhogal were nominees for the Young Sports Personality of the Year (Under 18) in the male and female categories respectively. Ashpal’s father and coach Bobby Bhogal was crowned Coach of the Year in recognition for his achievements in not only developing Ashpal but also in recognition of his position as the only Asian coach in the England high performance system.

In an emotional moment Bobby was joined by his daughter Ashpal and son Hari to collect his award. Commenting on his win Bobby said, “It’s a huge honour and was a massive surprise to win the award. I am really humbled to receive an award for something I love doing and will continue to love doing. I would not be here without the teams and players and coaches that have shown me support and inspiration over the years. Having Sally Munday CEO of England Hockey present was an added bonus". Bobby Bhogal thanked his wife Davinder for her inspiration and support and Sporting Equals for their continued support.

This year’s Awards saw talent from a host of different sporting disciplines including football, cricket, martial arts, kickboxing, wheel-chair rugby, motor-racing and even billiards. Four times World Billiards Championship, Michael Ferreira took home the Lifetime Achievement Award, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was honoured twice, as International Sports Personality of the Year and also in recognition of his 50th Test century in first Test against South Africa in December 2010 as the Champagne Moment Award.

Award Winners

HSBC Bank Junior Sports Personality of the Year- Maaz Bin Saud, Kick Boxing

Telesky Shopping Young Sports Personality of the Year Male (Under 18) - Shivsinh Thakor, Cricket

ABS Broadcast Young Sports Personality of the Year Female (Under 18) - Nur-Jehan Shaikh, Karate

Tickets to India Most Up and Coming Sports Personality of the Year - Danny Tanveer Batth, Football

Cobra Beer Outstanding Achievement Award - Mandip Sehmi, Wheelchair Rugby

Arqiva Lifetime Achievement Award - Micheal Ferreria, Billiards

Madhu's Coach of the Year - Bobby Bhogal, Hockey

Global Crossing Genesis Solutions International Sports Personality of the Year - Sachin Tendulkar, Cricket

Jaguar Champagne Moment of the Year - Sachin Tendulkar's 50th Test Century, Cricket

Lebara British Asian Sports Personality of the Year - Luciano Bacheta, Motor Racing

Sony Entertainment Television Asia Sports Personality of the Decade - Amir Khan, Boxing