“The Muslim community is one of the least active communities in the country. Living in some of the most deprived areas, this creates social and economic barriers to accessing sports activities.
At Muslim Sports Foundation, we commissioned a survey into barriers to sport which showed location, accessibility and environment as key issues to participation. But one of the biggest barriers is that people simply don’t feel welcome. If people don’t trust that a space is there for them or if the environment doesn’t feel culturally appropriate, they’re not going to get involved.
My biggest mission is to give my community a voice
For many people, sport can feel elitist and out of reach. A lot of communities have never engaged with sport because of various motivations. Often, it hasn’t felt aligned with people’s faith and values.
For me, the challenge is about bringing faith and sport together. Faith is a huge part of our everyday lives, so how can I use that as a way to help people become physically active? To tackle this, my biggest mission is to give my community a voice.
We’re trying to bridge the gap between sport and communities
Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to take part in sport and that’s what drives me now to create opportunities for others. I began coaching through my children when my boys started playing sports.
At Muslim Sports Foundation, we’re tackling inequalities in sport and physical activity by bridging the gap between national sports bodies and grassroots communities. We use a faith-based approach to connect organisations with the people they’re often don’t consider.
It’s about understanding communities and giving people the opportunity to play a sport, which is something that a lot of people take for granted.
Women and girls need to know these spaces are for them too
Muslim communities need to see that it’s acceptable for them to be in sporting environments, particularly women and girls who may feel these spaces aren’t meant for them.
Most girls love PE when they’re younger, but the drop-off in participation in sport at secondary school is huge. Body image for most girls plays a big part in that. For some Muslim girls, cultural and religious expectations can make it even harder. Too often, systems aren’t designed with those experiences in mind. Clothing, women-only spaces and cultural understanding all matter.
Sport should be able to change someone’s life
I believe sport is a universal language. It should be for everybody as it has the power to change someone’s life, mentally, physically and spiritually. It should be somewhere people feel supported, included and safe.
As a Muslim woman with lived experience in sport, I realised I could use my experience to support other people to come into sport too. Sometimes just seeing somebody like you makes people think: if she can do it, maybe I can too.
When I was featured on a sports campaign, a woman later approached me at an event and told me she had seen it. Seeing someone who looked like her and dressed modestly made her feel that cricket could be a safe and welcoming space for her too. She has since gone on to become a cricket coach and now runs her own programme. It made me realise the importance of visibility and the impact role models can have.
I want the confidence to speak on bigger platforms
For me, one of the biggest challenges is being heard while looking the way I do. There are still stereotypical views about Muslim women and it can feel like you have to constantly prove your credibility or justify your place in the room.
It’s a huge moment for me to be accepted onto Sounddelivery Media’s Spokesperson Leadership Programme. I’m excited to learn from others and become more confident communicating in a way that connects with people.
Eventually, I’d love to speak on bigger platforms, nationally and internationally. Maybe even do a podcast.
I think I’m basically glued together at this point
Through sport I’ve broken fingers, broken my foot playing netball, injured myself climbing Snowdon and more recently, damaged my ankle playing football. I genuinely think I’m held together by glue at this point. But don’t let that put you off!
I’m still exploring different sports. I used to love running and now I’m learning to swim. I love squash and netball, and I’d really like to get into strength training because I know how important it is for women of my age. I want everyone to try a sport and experience the joy it can bring.”
About the Author
Asma Ajaz-Ali is the Interim CEO of Muslim Sports Foundation, where she leads work to tackle inequalities in sport and physical activity across Muslim communities in the UK. With nearly 30 years’ experience across sport, community and education, her career spans grassroots delivery through to strategic leadership.
Asma specialises in inclusive participation, partnership working and community engagement, with a strong focus on supporting those facing social, cultural and structural barriers to activity. She has spent many years working with young people and communities in underserved areas, helping to create safe, accessible opportunities that promote healthier, more active lives.
Her work is grounded in lived experience and a commitment to equity, with a focus on influencing systems and amplifying underrepresented voices across the sport and physical activity sector.