Keith Vaz, Indian origin MP, has welcomed the announcement to honour Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City Football Club striker, with Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award on 24th April 2016. Leicester is the centre of the Asian community in the United Kingdom, with 34% of the community coming from Indian, Pakistani and other Asian backgrounds. On 10th March 2016, Mahrez was also honoured as Sportsman of the Year by the largest ethnic minority newspaper in the UK, Asian Voice, at a ceremony at the House of Commons. Keith Vaz was the host on that occasion.
Keith Vaz said: “This has been an outstanding season for Leicester City and their star player Riyad Mahrez. The whole city has united behind the team and is so proud of what they have achieved, qualifying for Champions League football next season and are leading the Premier League, chasing an historic title win. I have had messages from Goa and other parts of Indian sending me best wishes for the team. Players like Mahrez have become role models for the local community and across the world. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the PFA Player of the Year award.”
