Emdad Rahman
The Seven Kings Cricket Ground in Essex was alive with colour, energy and community spirit as London Sportif hosted its inaugural Tri-Nation Cricket Tournament, a celebration of sport, culture and diaspora identity.
The day long event brought together close to one hundred players of Bangladeshi heritage from across England, Ireland and Portugal: a cricket competition and a reunion of communities bound by a shared love for the game and its power to connect people across borders.
Fans travelled from across London and beyond, filling the ground with an atmosphere reminiscent of cricketing carnivals in Bangladesh. After a series of spirited matches, Team England were crowned champions, overcoming strong opposition from Ireland and Portugal. England’s Tanvir Ahmed topped the run charts, Portugal’s Nipu led the wicket tally, and the standout performer award went to AZM Johnny.
The closing ceremony saw players and supporters joined by a host of distinguished guests, including former Bangladesh international Enamul Haque, pioneering British Bangladeshi county cricketer Zahed Ahmed, and community sports leaders from Ireland, Portugal and London.
Ibrahim Khalil, President of London Sportif, praised the participants and supporters for making the event a success: “This is about building bridges, nurturing young talent, and ensuring that our communities have positive spaces to come together. We want this tournament to be the starting point of something bigger – a Bangladeshi Diaspora World Cup across Europe.”
The tournament also carried a strong message about the social impact of sport. Cricket here is being used as a vehicle for engagement, integration and youth development. With London Sportif at the helm, the aim is to channel the passion for cricket into mentoring young people, promoting healthy lifestyles, and reinforcing a sense of belonging among diaspora families.
Ashid Ali, Principal of London Enterprise Academy and a strong advocate for grassroots sports, reflected on the wider importance of the day: “What we’ve seen today is how cricket can bring whole communities together. It gives young people positive role models, a chance to showcase their skills, and a sense of pride in their heritage. London Sportif are showing how sport can unite, inspire and empower.”
The prize giving was coordinated by Treasurer Muhammad Atiqur Rahman, with the London Sportif Board of Directors, including Eisa Zakir Khalil, Muhibul Alam, Muhi Mikdad, Kalim Uddin, Forhad Uddin, Shuyeb Ahmed, Rezaul Kabir, Abul Hayat Bappi, Aminur Rahman and Jahirul Islam Rasel playing key roles in planning and delivery.
London Sportif’s mission extends well beyond tournaments. The club has steadily built a reputation for championing Bangladeshi diaspora cricket across Europe, fostering talent, and cementing sport as a pillar of community life.