OBV Graduate Baljit Rihal invited to Downing Street

Baljit Rihal a graduate of the OBV and MOJ Magistrates Shadowing Scheme was amongst a select list of prominent UK Sikhs invited by the Prime Minister to a Vaisakhi reception at Downing Street earlier this month.

Rihal earned his invitation by playing a prominent role in promoting young footballing talent from amongst the Asian community. To this end Rihal co-founded the Asian Football Awards, which this year held its inaugural awards ceremony at Wembley Stadium, with the full backing of the Football Association and its Chairman David Bernstein.

Rihal believes that by casting a light on Asian communities participation in the sport, the issues holding back many from reaching the top professional levels of the sport will be tackled.

A number of high profile individuals were present at the event, which celebrated the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi. They included; Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, Baroness Warsi England Cricketer Monty Panesar and newly appointed Deputy Mayor of Plymouth Chaz Singh.

In his address at the reception, the Prime Minister said, "Sikhs number approximately 700,000 people in the UK and their representation in all aspects of British society show that they punch well above their weight. "

Rihal, who also finds time to serve as a Magistrate, was humbled and honoured to be at the event. He said, "Vaisakhi is the one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar and it's very humbling that the Prime Minister hosted such an event at the UK's seat of power. The Prime Minister mentioned that he had heard about The Asian Football Awards and was impressed that we had the support of The Football Association."

Rihal's current projects include planning for the 2013 Asian Football Awards as well as a number of projects around his Player Agency portfolio with Inventive Sports.