The Muslim Sports Awards 2025 lit up Elland Road on Thursday evening, celebrating a powerful collection of athletes, community champions, and organisations reshaping the sporting landscape for Muslim communities across the UK and beyond.
From footballers making history to grassroots leaders transforming neighbourhoods, the event showcased the depth, diversity, and dynamism of Muslim involvement in sport today.
Standout athletes were honoured for remarkable achievements on the world stage. Djed Spence, Tottenham Hotspur full-back, made headlines as Male Elite Sportsperson of the Year after becoming the first Muslim to earn a senior England cap. Rising talents Aaron Sarwar and Mehek Khalil were recognised for their rapid ascent in boxing, while para-Taekwondo star Summer Waheed earned acclaim for her advocacy around accessibility and SEND inclusion.
Footballer Mariam Mahmood, Wrexham AFC Women’s first British-Pakistani signing, was celebrated for her immediate impact at both club and international level.
The awards also spotlighted individuals whose community work is transforming lives far beyond the pitch. Khadija Patel, founder of KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club, was honoured for creating safe, culturally sensitive sporting spaces for girls and women since 2009.
Yasmin Hussain, named Coach of the Year, now inspires more than 120 girls weekly through inclusive football programmes.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Anwar Khattak BEM, applauded for decades of service in youth development and community sport.
Sunnah Sports Community CIC, Ansar Madrassa Football League, Futtymania, and Masjid Nur – The Lux Mosque all received recognition for tackling inequality, building confidence, and strengthening community cohesion through sport and social programmes.
Several awards highlighted groundbreaking initiatives pushing sport into new spaces. Archery GB’s culturally rooted engagement project earned Ally of the Year, while Imaan Active took home Best Product or Service for its pioneering modest hiking and swimwear collections.
Faith-led sport innovation also made an impact as Amir Malik, Founder of the Muslim Golf Association, was recognised for introducing thousands of women and children to golf and shaping a global movement around identity and inclusion.
Media representation was championed through Fadumo Olow, whose fearless reporting at Sky Sports is challenging inequality and elevating diverse voices across UK sport.
The Muslim Sports Awards 2025 offered more than trophies—it showcased a growing movement. A movement of athletes breaking barriers, communities building new pathways, and organisations championing inclusion from the grassroots to the elite.
As the evening closed, one message rang clear: Muslim participation in sport is not only thriving—it is reshaping the future of British sport for generations to come.
