Wednesday 16 July | 6–9pm | Riverside East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
West Ham United, in proud collaboration with Inclusive Irons and DesiBallers, is delighted to host a special Summer Social in celebration of South Asian Heritage Month. Taking place on Wednesday 16 July at the stunning Riverside East in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the evening promises to be a vibrant gathering of food, culture, football and community spirit.
This free event - sign up HERE - invites supporters to join us in recognising and honouring the contribution of South Asian communities to both the game and the wider local area. A limited-capacity occasion designed to bring people together, the Summer Social offers a welcoming space to connect with fellow fans, meet influential voices from the South Asian football community and celebrate shared heritage in the heart of east London.
The evening will feature a speech by Rashid Abba, the Club's Academy Link Mentor and recipient of the 2024 Asian Football Awards Inspiration Award. Since assuming this role in 2021, Rashid and the West Ham Academy Recruitment team have worked diligently to implement the Club’s strategy for identifying and nurturing homegrown local talent. This strategy involves investing time and resources in addressing underrepresentation by widening the net of opportunities within the South Asian community in east London and Essex.
In his talk, Rashid will discuss the impact of this initiative, which is already making strides in creating sustainable pathways for recruiting the most talented players and coaches as well as enhancing the Club’s networks for talent identification.
Also speaking on the night will be Sky Sports News journalist Dev Trehan, a leading voice on equality and representation in football, and Zohaib Rashid, the founder of grassroots football collective DesiBallers. Both will offer personal insight into the role of sport in building identity, pride and opportunity within South Asian communities. A West Ham United Club Ambassador will also be joining the evening for an informal Q&A session, adding to the line-up.
Complementing the conversation will be a specially curated food experience, with guests invited to enjoy a South Asian snack buffet of hot onion bhajis with mango yoghurt, vegetable samosas and halal tandoori chicken skewers – all served alongside traditional chilli rice crackers. Guests can expect a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, with the chance to take part in a raffle and connect with others who share a passion for football and a drive to celebrate and promote diversity within the game.
This celebration is part of West Ham United’s observance of our diverse fan base and is a key event on our South Asian Heritage Month calendar. By working closely with Inclusive Irons and DesiBallers, the Club continues to support the voices and experiences of South Asian supporters, players, and football leaders.
Apu Vyas, Chair of Inclusive Irons and Sports Lead for South Asian Heritage Month, said: “As a lifelong West Ham fan and chair of Inclusive Irons, the club has always been a big part of who I am so helping it grow as a true family club that’s open, welcoming and reflects the communities around it means a lot to me. At Inclusive Irons, we’re all about bringing people together through football.
"South Asians love football just as much as anyone else, and we want to make sure they feel seen and included in every part of the game. That’s why it’s so powerful to bring together people from across football, creating space for conversations, connections and opportunities.
"I’m also proud to be the Sports Lead for South Asian Heritage Month, which celebrates the incredible contributions South Asians have made to the UK. Launching this year’s event in partnership with West Ham United is a real honour and something that brings together two big parts of my identity.”
Zohaib Rashid, founder of DesiBallers, said: "Marking 15 years of the DesiBallers platform is deeply personal for me. What began as a passion project has grown into a platform that has connected, inspired and celebrated South Asians in football in ways I could only have dreamed of.
"To be celebrating this milestone with West Ham United - the club that I support - and South Asian Heritage Month is incredibly meaningful. This evening is not just about honouring the journey so far, but about bringing our community together to reflect, reconnect, and look ahead with pride and purpose. It promises to be a truly unforgettable night.”
Spaces for the Summer Social are limited and will be confirmed upon registration. To sign up, please complete the short survey form HERE. We look forward to seeing you there.