SALMA SHINES AT AWA AWARDS

BELIEVE IN MAD - MAKE A DIFFERENCE founder Salma Bi knocked the opposition for six when she received one of the greatest accolades of her sporting career last week.

Birmingham spin bowler Salma became the first ever winner of the Sport category at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in London.

A glittering ceremony at the plush Hilton Hotel on Park Lane saw the 26-year-old haemodialysis nurse from Bordesley Green crowned Britain's top Asian sportswoman for her outstanding services to cricket and the community.

The prestigious event featured a star-studded guest list which included awards patron Cherie Blair QC, Eastenders actress Preeya Kalidas, newsreader Mary Nightingale and rising star, pop singer Avina Shah.

The 13th AWA awards included a Sport section for the very first time and Salma was named the inaugural winner ahead of former British No1 tennis player Anne Keothavong, England hockey talent Ashpal Kaur Bhogai, Urvasi Naidoo, CEO of the International Federation of Netball Associations, and amateur boxer and coach Saira Tabasum.

Salma is no stranger to the prize podium having won the British Asian Sports Awards Outstanding Achievement accolade in 2009. She was also a contender for BASA Coach of the Year in 2010 and this year was shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution prize at the Muslim Women's Sports Foundation awards at Wembley Stadium.

The first Muslim woman to represent Worcestershire at cricket, Salma also plays regularly for the MCC as well as featuring   for both men's and women's teams at Birmingham area clubs Five Ways Old Edwardians and Wall. She is also a Level One coach and umpire.

This year Salma launched her own coaching organisation Believe in MAD - Make A Difference which aims to raise the profile of girls/women's and disability cricket.

Last month she staged a T10 World Cricket Cup event at Birmingham International Futsal Arena which involved 32 women representing four different Test playing nations and raised over £1,000 for the charity Mencap.

Just six weeks earlier Salma was also the inspiration behind a 10-hour non-stop futsal marathon held at the same venue. Twenty four women took part and more than £1,000 was raised for the National Autistic Society.

In her celebration speech at the Hilton, Salma spoke about these events and thanked the small but dedicated team of supporters which helped make it all possible.

She also talked of the hurdles she has had to overcome to make her mark as a cricketer and highlighted her future ambitions.

"I do nothing for personal glory - my aim is to promote the sport I love and help others," she said. "If I receive awards or recognition along the way it is a bonus.

"The success of my events has inspired me further. We didn't change, we just made a difference."

Salma's infectious and engaging personality, her eloquence and humour, ensured she received rapturous applause as she left the stage. As she departed into the night, the praise was ringing in her ears from all quarters.

Salma Bi leaves a positive impression on everyone she meets.

Now it is time to concentrate on her cricket, continue leading her team the Great White Sharks in the Birmingham Women's Futsal League, and no doubt it won't be long before she is planning her next adventure......