The awards, now in their second year, were conceived to reward British Asians who have excelled in sport and are recognised at local and national levels for their contribution as exceptional athletes. The channel says the awards aspire to encourage more Asians to participate in sports, both at national and international levels.
Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar was awarded the MGT International Sports Personality of the Year Award. Bend It Like Beckham star Ameet Chana played host for the evening, while guests included MAX brand ambassador Kapil Dev as well as cricketers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan.

Amongst the prizes auctioned and raffled were tickets to the Cricket World Cup next year in South Africa, holidays abroad and signed cricket bats. The awards programme will be shown later this month on SET Asia, according to a release issued by the channel.

The other awardees included

Brent Council Festival of Lights Junior (under 18 Junior) Sports Personality of the Year – Male - Gavin Heeroo from London for football

Madhu’s Brilliant Junior (Under 18) Sports Personality of the Year - Female - Aarti Thobhani from Leicester for Tae Kwon Do.

NHS Asian Tobacco Helpline Coach Of The Year - Tom John from Surrey for Badminton

Rural Press Outstanding Achievement Award - Abdul Ahmed from London for football

Sunrise Radio Up and coming Sports Personality of the Year - Tushar Patel from London for Wheelchair Racing

SET Asia 5-a-side Cup Winners – Canaries from Preston.

SET Asia claims to be the first South Asian entertainment channel to launch on the UK digital satellite platform on 22 August 1999.


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