The beautiful game continues to be enriched by the incredible talent and inspiring stories from the South Asian community. This week on Baji, we witnessed everything from spectacular goals to historic international debuts, showcasing the growing influence and excellence of South Asian athletes and professionals across all levels of football.
Millie Chandarana’s Spectacular Strike
Blackburn Rovers’ midfield dynamo Millie Chandarana is making a habit of scoring sensational goals. In a thrilling five-goal Championship encounter against Charlton Athletic, Chandarana produced a moment of pure quality that will undoubtedly be a contender for goal of the season.
When the ball broke loose to her on the left edge of the penalty area, the box-to-box midfielder didn’t hesitate. With a first-time, curling effort, she sent the ball arcing into the top right corner, leaving Charlton’s goalkeeper utterly helpless. It was a strike reminiscent of her goal-of-the-season winner from the previous campaign, proving her technique and composure under pressure are truly elite.
Despite Chandarana’s brilliance, Charlton managed to secure a narrow 3-2 victory, a result that propelled them to the top of the Championship table. For Rovers and their fans, however, the performance and the goal from their South Asian star provided a shining positive in a hard-fought contest.
Kira Rai’s Triumphant Return for Derby County
After a frustrating ten-week absence due to an ankle injury, Sikh-Punjabi attacker Kira Rai made an electrifying return to action for Derby County. Her second-half cameo in the 2-0 victory over Stourbridge was a masterclass in impactful substitution play.
Rai immediately terrorized the Stourbridge defense with her direct running and clever changes of pace. Her relentless drive culminated in a brilliant assist; she beat her marker on the flank before cutting a precise pass back to teammate Isabel Sheridan, who made no mistake in finishing the move.
Kira Rai’s return from injury was marked by her explosive pace and creative play, instantly impacting Derby’s attack.
Speaking to RamsTV after the match, Rai’s excitement was palpable: “I’m buzzing to come back! It’s been quite a long 10 weeks. I’m happy with the assist and happy we got the win. I just want to push on now.” Her return is a significant boost for a Derby side looking to climb the table.
The match also marked a poignant moment for the club, as it was their first game since the respected coach Kiran Singh Savage announced he was stepping back from his role. Singh Savage, who has served Derby in various capacities including assistant manager and goalkeeping coach, has been a pivotal figure in the development of many players, including Rai.
The influential partnership between player Kira Rai and coach Kiran Singh Savage has been a cornerstone of development at Derby County.
Trailblazers Unite: A Historic Meeting in London
In a symbolic moment for South Asian representation in football, two legendary trailblazers met for the very first time. Aman Dosanj, the first British South Asian woman to play for England at any level, and Jimmy Carter, the first British South Asian to play in the Premier League, came together at a pre-game event at Stamford Bridge.
The event, hosted by the Brown Girl Sport platform, celebrated a year of amplifying the voices of women of color in sport. Dosanj was part of a star-studded panel that included award-winning broadcaster Shireen Ahmed and former footballer Zarah Shah.
A landmark moment as pioneers Aman Dosanj and Jimmy Carter meet, symbolizing the past, present, and future of South Asians in football.
Dosanj, a former Arsenal Ladies goalkeeper, emphasized the need for continued progress: “I think we need to ask for more. We need representation all around. The more we can tell each other’s stories the better we can be. We are not a monolith, so the more stories we can tell the better.”
Carter, who fulfilled a childhood dream by joining Arsenal in 1992, echoed this sentiment, focusing on the future: “We want to get more British South Asians into football. We want to see more. That’s what I want to see happening.” This meeting of minds between two generations of pioneers underscores the ongoing journey toward greater inclusion and visibility.
Safia Middleton-Patel’s New Chapter at Watford
Highly-rated Welsh international goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel has embarked on a promising new chapter, joining Watford on loan from Manchester United. The 19-year-old, who featured in last season’s Baji South Asians in Football Team of the Season, made her debut in a match against title-chasing Southampton.
While her home debut for the Golden Girls has been delayed and is now expected next month, the move is designed to provide her with crucial first-team experience. Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner endorsed the loan, stating, “This loan will give Safia the playing time she needs to develop her professional game. We will be keeping a close eye on Safia for the rest of the season and look forward to watching her continued growth.”
Safia Middleton-Patel’s loan move to Watford is a strategic step in her development as a top-level goalkeeper.
Tarryn Allarakhia Makes History at AFCON
In a moment of immense pride, winger Tarryn Allarakhia carved his name into the history books. The Wealdstone FC player, of mixed Indian and East African heritage, became the first-ever player from his club and the first British South Asian to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), starting for Tanzania against Morocco.
His former manager at Wealdstone, Stuart Maynard, spoke glowingly of Allarakhia’s achievement in one of his final interviews before moving to Notts County. “His friends, family and team-mates are all so proud of him,” Maynard told Baji. “Tarryn is a fantastic dribbler with an unbelievable ability to take people out of the game. He’s a fantastic role model with the hunger and desire to perform at a high level.”
Hannah Kumari Joins Fans for Diversity Campaign
Adding to the week of positive news, acclaimed writer, director, and performer Hannah Kumari has taken on a new role as a campaign manager with the influential Fans for Diversity campaign. She will work alongside chief Nilesh Chauhan, continuing the vital work of promoting inclusion and tackling discrimination at all levels of the game. Kumari, known for her powerful creative work, brings a unique and valuable perspective to this important initiative.
South Asians in Football Weekly: Rising Stars and Historic Moments on Baji
From the pitch to the front office, the influence of the South Asian community in football continues to grow exponentially. The performances of Chandarana and Rai, the historic moments for Allarakhia and Middleton-Patel, and the advocacy of figures like Dosanj, Carter, and Kumari are not just individual successes—they are collective strides forward for representation in the sport we all love.
Here at Baji, we are committed to bringing you these stories. What was your highlight of the week? Which South Asian player are you most excited to watch in the coming fixtures? Share your thoughts with our community and stay tuned for more exclusive coverage and deep dives into the world of football.
