The organisers of the annual British Asian Sports Awards (BASA) have announced the thirty candidates that have been shortlisted for the final awards ceremony that will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Saturday 21st February.

Now in its eighth successful year, the award prides itself on acknowledging and celebrating our current British Asian sporting talent and aims to motivate and inspire the next generation of talented British Asian sports people across the United Kingdom.

The shortlist covers ten categories which include the British Asian Sports Personality of the Year and Most Up and Coming Sports Personality of the Year.

Previous winner, British sporting icon and poster boy for aspiring British Asian sports people, Amir Khan the Commonwealth Lightweight Boxing Champion describes his experience, "It’s an honour to be part of such a worthwhile cause, one that encourages our young talent to come forward and be recognised. It’s a stepping stone to motivate and inspire those who would like to take their sport to the next level. It was a privilege to be a winner last year and there is no doubt that it was the support from the British Asian community and my family that was crucial to my success. Now, as a British Asian Sports Awards ambassador, I feel it’s my chance to give a little of that support and encouragement back to the community."

BBC Sports editor and BASA judge, Mihir Bose, sees a bright future for British Asian sporting talent, "The awards are a great celebration of British Asian sporting talent of all ages, I feel honoured to have been on the judging panel. This year the standard of talent has been extremely high and I hope the event further inspires others to pursue a career in sport and ensure that we nurture the next generation of sportsmen and women and have solid British-Asian representation at the Olympics."

Ex-English cricketer and BASA ambassador Mark Ramprakash says of BASA, "In my second year as an ambassador for BASA, I am delighted to see the scope and range of sport that our youth are taking part in. Initiatives like the BASAs show the community that we don’t all have to excel in traditional professions but that we can also make our mark in the sporting world. It’s another step in the right direction for British Asian sporting talent."

The awards attract a range of sporting heroes and past attendees have included Spurs footballer Jermain Defoe, England batsman Kevin Pieterson and Indian cricket star Kapil Dev.

Former England footballer Sir Trevor Brooking, rugby brothers Henry and Robbie Paul, IBF title winning boxer Amir Khan, ex-England cricket captain Nasser Hussain and squash icon Jahangir Khan as well as top international artists. This year’s amazing line up includes some fabulous acts from Kunal Ganjawala, Mutya Buena, Shola Ama, Lemar, Escala and Soul II Soul.

The event shall be telecast globally by Sony Entertainment Television Asia in April.

Updated: 17/02/09