Trailblazer, role model, and former Nigerian international footballer Ini Umotong was honoured at this year’s Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA) Annual Player Awards, held at Birmingham City Football Club's conferencing suites.

The event, which celebrated exceptional achievements in grassroots football across all age categories, saw Umotong recognised for her outstanding contributions to the advancement of women's football. At just 31, Umotong’s journey from the streets of Birmingham to the international stage has inspired a generation of young female athletes.

Born in Calabar, Nigeria, and relocating to Birmingham as a toddler, she kicked off her football journey at the age of five. Her early passion and natural talent quickly caught the eye of scouts, leading to her first professional steps with Birmingham City FC.

Over the course of a distinguished career, Ini went on to represent clubs such as Portsmouth United, Oxford United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Sweden’s Växjö DFF, before concluding her playing days with Lewes FC Women. She also proudly donned the Super Falcons jersey, representing Nigeria on the world stage and becoming a beacon of success for African women in football.

In a heartfelt tribute, BYSA Chairman Professor Paul Cadman praised her as a “living inspiration whose dedication to female football has paved the way for countless girls and women to pursue their dreams in the sport.” As he presented her award, the room filled with applause for a career that had broken barriers and defied odds.

The star-studded awards evening brought together more than 180 guests, including Blues CEO Jeremy Dale and Lord Mayor of Birmingham Ken Wood. Attendees included major community stakeholders and long-standing supporters of youth sports development. Sponsors such as Safaraz Ali of the Pathway Group, Imdad Hussain of IQ Coaches, and Professor Gino Martini, CEO of PHTA (Precision Health Technologies Accelerator), lent their presence and backing to the celebration.

Hosted by BYSA founder Anwar Khattak BEM, the evening not only celebrated a football icon but also honoured the achievements of the next generation of players across BYSA’s girls, boys, women’s, and men’s teams. 

Award Winners

Among the standout achievers were several young talents whose dedication on and off the pitch was recognised with a range of awards:

Under-13s Girls

  • Top Scorer: Fatima Elsakaan
  • Clubman Award: Mehreen Khan
  • Manager’s Player: Rawan Mutahar
  • Most Improved: Surayah Khan
  • Coaches Player: Rumaysa Hassan

Under-15s Girls

  • Top Scorer: Ruqayah  
  • Clubman Award: Hikmah  
  • Manager’s Player: Mairah  
  • Most Improved: Sana  
  • Coaches Player: Summer  

Under-18s Women

  • Top Scorer: Saira  
  • Clubman Award: Hinah
  • Respect Award: Saba
  • Manager’s Player: Saima
  • Coach’s Player: Safa  
  • Most Improved: Alishbah  

Women’s Adult Team

  • Manager’s Player: Hibo Hussein
  • Most Improved: Amirah Hussain
  • Coach’s Player: Nimrah Amer
  • Top Goal Scorer: Saima Khattak  
  • Clubman Award: Sadaf Bornaee  

Under-14s Boys

  • Top Scorer: Sahil Akhtar  
  • Clubman Award: Haseeb Shah
  • Manager’s Player: Otmane Khayi 
  • Coach’s Player: Fareed Ncube  
  • Most Improved: Augustine Sesay  

Under-18s Boys 

Clubman Award: Mohsen Aso  

Manager’s Player: Hamza Khan 

Most Improved: Abdiqani Muhammed

Coach’s Player: Shamir Sultan

Top Goal Scorer: Qays Hussain

Men’s Adult Team

  • Clubman Award: Hassam Mohammed
  • Manager’s Player: Ridwan Ali
  • Most Improved: Ismail Nuur
  • Coach’s Player: Haris Ullah Jan 
  • Top Goal Scorer: Fuseani Nartor

The event not only recognised personal and team success but also served as a powerful reminder of the transformative role sport plays in building confidence, discipline, and unity. Ini Umotong’s story resonated throughout the evening—not just for her athletic accolades but for her academic accomplishments too.

Holding both a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA, she represents a new era of female athlete: one who breaks boundaries on the pitch and beyond. Her recognition capped off an evening that shone a spotlight on inclusion, perseverance, and community pride—values that lie at the heart of BYSA’s mission.

As the applause faded and trophies were lifted high, one thing was certain: the future of football in Birmingham is bright, and it owes much to pioneers like Ini Umotong.