The Premier League celebrated Vaisakhi for the first time at Wembley. Vaisakhi, one of the most important holidays in the Sikh calendar, commemorates the founding of the Khalsa, a community of initiated Sikhs who adhere to the principles laid out by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, in April 1699. On Monday, the FA commemorated the occasion for the first time at the legendary Wembley Stadium. Over 500 guests from various Sikh organizations participated in Kirtan and an Ardaas (Sikh prayers) that boomed throughout the stadium, and the renowned arch was lit up in orange, representing the Khalsa. Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, put in a surprise video in which he expressed his best wishes and complimented the Sikh community on their accomplishments.
“One way to connect with people is via their faith, and having people here who recognize the connection between faith and football is one way we can convey that the game is for them,” Dal Darroch, Head of Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Programmes said.
The event included interactive panels with some of the league’s best Sikhs, including former referee Jarnail Singh, Aman Shergill, a first-team sports scientist at Aston Villa, and Kira Rai of Derby County, a role model in the female game.
“I think it’s incredibly unique to witness a room full of Sikhs and South Asians celebrating not only Vaisakhi but also football,” Rai said. “It would have been easier if I had a female South Asian role model to look up to, but I suppose it was added motivation for me to get there so that younger girls today had someone to look up to.”
The ECB along with the Premier League observed Vaisakhi for the first time this weekend by attending a mela (festival celebration) at Gravesend Gurdwara in Kent, which has a large Sikh population.
“Making cricket more egalitarian is everyone’s responsibility, and festivals like this one help to develop an awareness of different faiths at all levels of the game,” an ECB spokesperson said. “As part of our Vaisakhi celebrations, we handed a Sikh inclusion guide to clubs and players around the country to assist them learn more about the faith and create an environment where cricket can come together.”
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