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British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) & Leeds Met South Asia
02/10/2005
Wearing Britain’s national colours and sporting the University’s logo and the Leeds Met South Asia branding, the British Asian Rugby Association team won the final of the prestigious Orange All India and South Asia Rugby Union Tournament, beating Bangalore Rugby Football Club 27-3.
Players from other participating teams including the Indian army, Chennai and the touring team from Lahore, Pakistan who won a special award sportingly joined in the victory celebrations.
The BARA squad comprises players whose origins are in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Supported by the Youth Charter, BARA aims to promote community integration, personal development and healthy living amongst British Asians, encouraging participating in sport in general and rugby in particular. In winning the cup the BARA founders have fulfilled personal ambitions and in the process made many new friends in South Asia.
Ikram Butt, BARA Director and former Leeds Met student:
“We are absolutely delighted to have Leeds Met as a kit and leisure wear sponsor for our tour to India as we know the University is 100% committed to the ideals of bridge-building and celebrating diversity, goals that have made BARA such a success so far.
“Sport is an incredible tool for breaking down the barriers between people and their cultures and we know that our India trip will help form vital connections with the Indian people that will set firm foundations for the future – we are already looking forward to hosting the Indian teams in the UK at a later date.”
Elspeth Jones, Dean of the Leslie Silver International Faculty said:
“Leeds Met aspires to be a world-class regional University with world-wide horizons, using all our talents to the full. BARA will help us to convey this message, to encourage communities to come together and break down cultural and religious barriers through participation in sport”
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