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Looking to make a difference

Asian football coach seeks to help Caribbean teams reach World Cup
Written by Natasha Henry
18/02/2012 12:37 PM

HERO: Judan Ali (left) working with football legend Ruud Gullit

THE LACK of Asians in top flight football is one of the most intriguing questions in sport. However, there is one man looking to break down the perceived barriers.

Even though Judan Ali has experienced the bigoted side of football, it hasn't killed his passion for the game.

Impressive performances on the field as a youngster saw Ali tipped for the top. Unfortunately the one characteristic he couldn't alter, seemed to be the one thing holding him back. His colour.

“My main stance is to get rid of the old school mentality. It’s mainly a confidence thing. When I was young there was a lot of direct and indirect racism.” Ali said.

He continued: “British Asian parents of my generation are blinded from what they went through in the 80s and 90s; struggling to make it in the UK and as a result, we have missed a huge opportunity in England for their children to break into professional football across all levels. They held their children back.”

Now after completing his Football Association coaching badges, Ali has a revolutionary plan he wants to put in place.

He aims to take a country, probably one from the Caribbean, and lead them to qualification for the 2022 World Cup. It is a challenge he admits will not be easy.

The east Londoner readily admits he doesn't think he would have got the Football Association's attention if his Asian youngsters hadn't done so well in their tournament at the Emirates stadium.

He conceded that although there is a long way to go, at least the FA are moving in the right direction.

Posted on: 18/02/2012 12:37 PM

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Comments

Aisan footballers can coach

Jamaica 2012 L.B of Newham's picture
Jamaica 2012 L....

Judan has taken an Indian team to Emirates from India proving that Asians can play football.

Why Couldnt Gus Hiddink take Holland to the World Cup and chose to take South Korea Concoiussister?

Good luck to Judan Ali

Tue, 2012-02-21 11:35

Asian footballers CAN PLAY!

Jamaica 2012 L.B of Newham's picture
Jamaica 2012 L....

Following your comment Concioussister, reading on Judan Ali is from East London and grew up at a time when the National front (BNP) was making it difficult for BME to settle into life here in the UK. He proved that "Asians" can play football by bringing over a group of "street Footballers" from India and pitting them against the best in the world at the Emirates.

Good luck to him!

Mon, 2012-02-20 20:06

Asian Footballers

Edenfluffybunny's picture
Edenfluffybunny

My Brother plays in a league in London and his team has a few asian footballers and is confused to why they havent broken through as they are better than most of the boys in his team.

Judan Ali in fact has proved a point that Asians can play football. I am looking forward to what Island he chooses to coach ;)

Mon, 2012-02-20 12:01

Looking to make a difference

cjamal's picture
cjamal

What is so intriguing about the lack of Asians in top flight football? Most of them are in classrooms studying to be doctors, lawyers, and academics!

Mon, 2012-02-20 01:32

Asian footballers CAN PLAY!

Jamaica 2012 L.B of Newham's picture
Jamaica 2012 L....

Concioussister - *he doesn't think he would have got the Football Association's attention if his Asian youngsters hadn't done so well in their tournament at the Emirates stadium.

Following your comment Concioussister, reading on Judan Ali is from East London and grew up at a time when the National front (BNP) was making it difficult for BME to settle into life here in the UK. It is apparent that Judan Ali had proved that "Asians" can play football by bringing over a group of "street Footballers" from India and pitting them against the best in the world at the Emirates.

Good luck to Judan in his future goals of taking one of our countries into a World Cup.

Sun, 2012-02-19 14:24

Why not take a team from Asia

Concioussister's picture
Concioussister

Why not take a team from Asia if your trying to prove you have a place in the game. Are you saying Asian footballers can't play and can only coach

Sat, 2012-02-18 15:06