Tries & Prejudice – The Ikram Butt Story
24th June 2009
It an unusual story that starts and ends in Leeds and takes in multi-layered struggle, misunderstanding, fervent belief, historic achievement, a spell in jail, thought provocation and a world view along the way. And, unlike virtually all sporting autobiographies, it also includes the effects of Ramadan on training regimes and arranged marriage.
Ikram Butt was brought up in Headingley, achieved an ambition when he followed older brother Tony into the professional ranks at Leeds and, having moved on to Featherstone, on 1st February 1995 ran out against Wales in Cardiff to become England’s first Muslim rugby international in either code. Moving on to London in the first season of Super League, Huddersfield and finally Hunslet, he went on to set up the South Asia Bulls and the British Asian Rugby Association and is now a regular visitor to the House of Commons, pioneers development work in the UK, India and Pakistan and is one of the most influential Asian role models in the country.
Putting his story down on paper was not easy but, like so much of what he has espoused, he felt it needed to be done. “I have been talking to governing bodies in various sports for over ten years now and the need to get more British Asians involved is as necessary now as it was then” he said. “We have not yet got that message across and this was another vehicle to do it. I was interviewed by Jas Bains for a book called ‘Asians Can’t Play Football’ in 1996 trying to dispel some myths about us and sport but, as the title of report that analysed his findings for the FA -which I was involved in - noted ten years later, it has been a wasted decade. Things are changing, especially in rugby league but not enough. Hopefully the story of what I have tried to do will help bring wider debate.”
For it to have the resonance he hopes, it had to be warts and all. “I had to think long and hard before opening myself up and talking about some very personal and, until now, private matters and thoughts. But there has been a lot of negative publicity surrounding British Asians and there is still a feeling that they – and especially the youth - don’t feel part of society. It’s a two way street, there is a lot of sorting out to do in their own back yard but statistics prove that they have more hurdles to get over and barriers to overcome if they want to succeed. I was very fortunate to be able to do that through rugby, the code has been good to me and shaped where and how I am. I think the world of the sport and it has shown the power of what it can do in wider society; that is something not many politicians and governing bodies have grasped.”
There is also an added edge to his story and the points he is trying illustrate as it includes a spell in prison – part of which was served in Armley – after he was convicted of a driving offence in Leeds. “It is an episode that initially I wanted to forget but it is part of my life experience that can help me relate to kids. It was in my kismet and it taught me what it takes to turn such things around. It gives me a chance to encourage them not to fall into a similar trap but if they do how to turn it into a positive change.”
‘I have been living in Bradford and working for the Bradford Council’s leisure Services for the past nine years and have enjoyed my time here. Bradford has a bright future is all respects and with good leadership from the likes of Tony Reeves & Phil Barker along with Ronnie Todd (Bradford College) & Ryan (Duckett Bulls) we are most definitely heading in the right direction’. added Ikram
Now back at the club where it all started, as the ‘Connecting Communities’ Manager under the auspices of the Leeds Rugby Foundation & Leeds Metropolitan University, his book comes out as he returns home. This is a very important club, the most successful dual code operation in the world and that follows the principles of BARA, we have always tried to institute greater understanding and tolerance through both rugby league and union. It has been wonderful to re-establish my relationship with Leeds President Harry Jepson who has always been a father figure. He has an overwhelming warmth when I see him and, in some ways, it is like I never left.”
‘TRIES & PREJUDICE’ by Ikram Butt (with Tony Hannan) is published by Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd, in paperback priced at £12.99. The forewords are by Bollywood star Rahul Bose and Richard Lewis, Chair of Sport England & Executive Chair of the Rugby Football League.