Sky Sports News announces Football’s Hidden Talent doc
May 21, 2024
In English football, approximately 3,700 male players and 1,100 female players play in their respective top four divisions. Only 0.6 per cent of them have South Asian heritage. To explore the underrepresentation and emerging contributions of British South Asian people in football, Sky Sports News is proud to announce the release of its new documentary, Football’s Hidden Talent.
The documentary sheds light on the systemic challenges and cultural barriers that have historically limited the visibility and progression of British South Asian talent in the sport. It critically examines why so little has changed in the past 30 years since the inaugural Premier League season, when there were just two British South Asian players. Today, despite some progress, only a handful of British South Asian players are present in the league, prompting a pressing question: is this a football emergency?
Football’s Hidden Talent features a series of compelling interviews with former players, coaches, and key organisations within the football industry, piecing together the complex issues of representation within the game and sharing personal experiences. By highlighting these topics, the documentary aims to inspire change and encourage inclusivity within football.
The documentary is set to air on May 21st on Sky Sports Football at 6pm, and Sky Sports Premier League at 8pm. Sky Sports News will also release a series of daily social media posts and clips on the lead up to the documentary so audiences can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and the efforts being made to create a more inclusive future for British South Asian footballers.