Post by Macmoish on Nov 28, 2010 8:15:06 GMT
Bradford Official Site
Rehman honoured by Number 10 invite
Posted on: Fri 26 Nov 2010
City's Zesh Rehman was honoured at a private reception held by David Cameron at Downing Street this week.
In a speech at the reception, the Prime Minister said he wanted to "celebrate the immense contributions" British Asians like Zesh Rehman have made to this country.
The Bantams star said: "This is a distinguished moment for not only for me as Club Captain, but also an incredible honour for Bradford City FC and the City of Bradford. Together we have achieved positive recognition on a national scale."
As the first ever Asian Captain of Bradford City, Rehman stood among other British Asians who have contributed to the rich landscape of British society.
Quizzed by the PM and Nick Clegg on his achievements, Zesh said: "Being one of only two British Asians playing professional football, I was happy to speak to both David Cameron and Nick Clegg about my career and some of the racial hurdles and barriers that I have overcome to make the grade. The PM also commented on monitoring my progress for a number of years and said he remembered me from my Premiership and Championship days with Fulham and QPR".
"They were both also very supportive of my Foundation I launched in May and believe it will achieve its aims of bridging the cultural gap in our society through the power of football".
Dawn - British PM fetes Pakistani footballer
By Shazia Hasan
KARACHI: Pakistan international footballer Zeeshan Rehman has been honoured by the British Prime Minister David Cameron at a private reception held in his honour at 10 Downing Street the other day.
Zeeshan, popularly known as Zesh, is a British-born footballer of Pakistani descent who happens to be one of only two British Asians playing professional football in the UK (the other being Michael Chopra of Indian origin).
Zesh, after spells with Brighton, Norwich, Blackpool, QPR and Fulham, moved to the Bradford City FC to become the club`s first-ever Asian captain. He has also had the honour of representing the national football team on several of its international assignments.
The 27-year-old defender has recently also launched a foundation to help British Asians get into football for which he has received much appreciation by the Asian community in the UK.
Cameron, in his speech at the reception, said that he wanted to celebrate the immense contributions made by British Asians like Zesh Rehman to their country.
www.dawn.com/2010/11/28/host-nation-raises-its-gold-medal-count-to-199-games-termed-extraordinary-as-china-wins-final-contest.html
