Great Britain Cycling Team rider Kian Emadi is one of three cycling nominees for the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards, Sporting Equals announced today.
Kian, who claimed a silver medal in the team sprint at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, will be up against England cricketer Moeen Ali and rising sprint star Adam Gemili at the Awards which take place on 21 February at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Maryam Amatullah, a champion for British Cycling’s women’s cycling programme Breeze, will also be hoping for success in the Unsung Hero category for her work in inspiring the Muslim community across Leicester to take up cycling.
Peckham BMX club is nominated in the Community Sports Project category. Set up in 2004 by ex-BMX racer CK Flash, Peckham BMX now boasts a £1.2 million track and has inspired thousands of young people to take up BMX through British Cycling’s Go-Ride programme.
Tre Whyte, a bronze medallist at the 2014 BMX world championships, and Quillan Isidore, a junior world champion in 2012, both started out at Peckham.
British Cycling president Bob Howden, said: “I’m delighted to see three British Cycling nominees recognised for their achievements.
“Kian continues to progress promisingly at elite level, securing his first international medal at the Commonwealth Games, while the work done by Maryam and Peckham BMX is absolutely crucial in inspiring more people to get on their bikes. I wish them all the best of luck for the awards.”
British Cycling’s podium coach Iain Dyer said: “I’m pleased to see that Kian has been nominated for this award after the progression he’s shown this year.
“Unfortunately he’s had a setback due to injury which has ruled him out of recent competition but his result at the Commonwealth Games is something to be proud of. Kian has been working hard to overcome this injury and he remains a promising prospect for the Olympic Games in 2016.”
Rowan Ardill, British Cycling development officer, who nominated Peckham BMX Club for the Community Sports Project award, said: “In the 10 years that Peckham BMX Club has been going, it has transformed the lives of thousands of young people in Peckham.
“The club is absolutely embedded in the community and gives young people an avenue to get active and do something positive. The enthusiasm and skill of the coaches involved keep young people coming back and encouraging new people to get involved. As a community sports project, Peckham BMX is a shining example of just what can be achieved.”
Natalie Justice, British Cycling’s women’s network project manager, who nominated Maryam for the Unsung Hero award, said: “Maryam’s passion for cycling and specifically her passion for getting other people in her community on bikes is inspirational.
“She attributes cycling as fundamentally changing her life and has used this to transform the lives of many other people in Leicester. Not only is Maryam a dedicated champion for our women’s Breeze network, she also leads local rides for our Sky Ride programme, deliver cycling training to adults in the community and has even formed a women’s cycling club.”
