Former England international Ikram Butt was among a number of guests from the world of Rugby League when RFL President and Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, hosted a reception at Speaker’s House in London this week to mark South Asian Heritage Month.
South Asian Heritage Month recognises and celebrates the contributions those communities have made to this country, and the event brought together people from all walks of like – including sport. Ikram Butt, in 1995, became the first player with South Asian heritage to play either code of rugby for England, and has since developed and led the British Asian Rugby Association.
Also among the Rugby League fraternity were Humayun Islam, CEO of Muslim Friendly Employers’ – a partner of Bradford Bulls. In 2023 the Bulls became the first Rugby League club to sign up as Muslim Friendly Employers and the Bulls themselves were represented by chairman Nigel Wood.
Huddersfield Giants ambassador and former Mayor of Kirklees, Masood Ahmed, was also in attendance, alongside club owner Ken Davy and managing director Richard Thewlis.
2024 is Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s final year as RFL President. It was announced earlier this week that he will be succeeded from December by the comedian Adam Hills – the first Australian to hold the honorary position.
Photo (left to right): Humayun Islam, Faisal Ali, Ikram Butt, Masood Ahmed, Lindsay Hoyle, Ken Davy, Nigel Wood, Richard Thewlis.
