The shortlist for for this year’s ‘Asian Achievers Awards’ has been announced. It includes a Leicester City footballer, as well as the founder of Chaiiwala – a super successful restaurant chain born right here in the city.
Now in their 22nd year, the Asian Achievers Awards are designed to celebrate South Asian excellence across the UK, in fields such as business, politics, music, sport, drama and journalism.
This year Muhammad Ibrahim, Co Founder of Chaiiwala is one of four people nominated in the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ category.
With six Chaiiwalas in Leicester, 76 in the UK, six in Canada and one in Dubai, Chaiiwala is a fast-growing brand which is speeding towards global success. Beginning life in a converted bin store in Leicester’s Evington Road, the brand was co-launched in 2015 when Mr Ibrahim was just 29-years-old.
Also shortlisted for an award this year is Hamza Choudhury – a Leicester City footballer who was born in Loughborough.
Of Bangladeshi origin, the 26-year-old became the first person of South Asian origin living in England to play in the Premier League. He is one of four people nominated in the ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ category.
Speaking of the nominations, Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG which organise the awards, said: “Leicester has a phenomenal South Asian talent. It’s a city that’s been profiled by The Economist in years gone by to say that it’s a real hub of economic and cultural dynamism in the UK.
“It is a city which is all about community cohesion – supporting each other and celebrating the excellence that exists right across our community.”
The finalists were selected from over 500 nominations, and narrowed down to four candidates per category.
This year’s Asian Achievers Awards are set to take place on September 20 at Hilton Park Lane, London.
The judging panel boasts a distinguished line-up, including Umer Khan OBE, Commender of the City of London Police and Lubna Shuja, Immediate Past President of the Law Society of England and Wales and Myles Stacey OBE former advisor to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
They are highly regarded as one of the leading awards ceremonies in the UK.
“The longevity of the awards shows that it has been a robust, incredible and sought after award in the calendar,” said Mr Dattani.
“Over the years, we’ve had active participation from number 10 and we frequently have a net worth in the audience of over £30 billion pounds. That shows the testament of how people perceive these awards compared to what else might be in the market.
“Getting one is a stamp of approval to say that one of the leading award ceremonies in the UK has recognised them as being at the very top of their profession.
“Finding the jewels within the community, showcasing them and highlighting their achievements for the next generation – that is what the awards are about,” he added. “If we’ve done that even for a few people every year it’s been worth it.”
The after party will be held by BBC Asian Network’s Vallisa Chauhan.
To find out more about the awards, visit: https://asianachieversawards.com/
