This prestigious event launched alongside the three-year anniversary of Nujum Sports foundation is dedicated to recognising and honouring the relentless efforts, determination and inspiration of athletes, clubs, and organisations that have significantly contributed to promoting Muslim inclusivity in the world of sport.
The Nujum Sports Awards is not just another accolade or event in the social calendar but a true testament and furtherance to the spirit of unity and understanding of the Islamic faith and a celebration of the contribution Muslim athletes, staff, fans, and organisations make to all the wonderful sports we all love.
By highlighting the achievements of those who have worked towards Muslim inclusivity, Nujum Sports aim to inspire and elevate, celebrate champions of industry with a view to create a more inclusive sporting environment for all.
There are six categories of awards, including Athlete, Young Athlete, Coach and Community Champion of the Year, with the Hatters featuring in the final two.
We are proud that Kim Pearce, our Senior Safeguarding Manager at the Club, Academy and Luton Town Community Trust, has been nominated in the Ambassador for Change category.
The description for this category means the winner can be ‘a Muslim or non Muslim who has changed the way an institution or club deals with Muslim athletes and their needs. The nominees have all positively changed the culture for the professional muslim athletes within their environment.’
Alongside QPR, Manchester City, Watford, the RFL (Rugby Football League) and ECB (English Cricket Board), the Club is also up for the Institutional Leader award, which is ‘for a club or organisation that has demonstrated its commitment to supporting Muslim athletes’.
Wayne Polson, the Academy's Player Care Officer, has worked tirelessly with Nujum Sports within the academy to help earn this overall nomination since Luton Town signed up to the Muslim Athlete Charter Pledge last March.
The Nomination Process
The sports personality nominees were very carefully selected based using a criterion of merit, resolve, and passion. Whist the clubs and organisation were selected and nominated based on their determination and excellence in supporting their Muslim Athletes, fans, and staff by embracing, engaging, and employing the Muslim Athlete charter.
The selection process for the Nujum Sports Awards is rigorous, transparent, and based on merit. An esteemed panel of judges, representing diverse backgrounds and expertise have toiled over months of discussion and debate to create what has been an amazing and inspiration list of players, clubs, and organisations.
The Judges
Tufail Hussain - Islamic Relief, UK Director (Nujum's Zakat Partner)
Fizel Nejabet - Founder and COO, Algbra (Nujum's Banking Partner)
Troy Townsend - Head of Player Engagement, Kick It Out (Nujum Special Advisor)
Maamun Hajmahmud - Player Engagement Officer, Kick It Out
The award winners will be announced at the three-year anniversary event hosted this year by Fulham FC.
It will see a host of Muslim athletes, clubs, and professional staff from across all sports represented on the day and enjoying and celebrating Nujum’s vision of building a world where Muslim Athletes can flourish and fulfil their potential.
Good luck to Kim and Wayne who will be representing the Club at the awards this afternoon - you've already done us proud in such a short space of time, guys!
