Somebody who has already played a role in increasing Sikh visibility is Jarnail Singh, the first turban-wearing referee in English league football, who received a lifetime achievement award at the Asian Football Awards in 2012.
“For the South Asian community, and especially the Sikh community, I think it’s absolutely superb where we actually have broken the glass ceiling in terms of going into management,” Singh said in response to Johal’s hiring.
“When most Asians walk along the street, you can’t say 100% they are Sikhs. But wearing the patka and the turban, it’s a sign and saying to everybody, ‘yes, I am a proud Sikh’. All I can do is wish him all the best on behalf of myself, the family and the Sikh community out there.
“It just gives everybody the drive to know that one of our Sikhs has reached the pinnacle as a manager, and he’ll be a great role model for everybody to follow and say ‘don’t let the colour of your skin or your religion or how you look stop you from doing what you want to do’.”
Johal may not have set out to break down barriers, but his appointment sets an example to Sikhs, South Asians and other underrepresented groups in British football that they can play a significant role.
“At the moment, Ash has got a job to do,” said his father Kulvinder. “He’s not purposely gone out to be a role model. He is chasing his dream to be a coach.
“This is another milestone in a career that began when he was 15, 16 years old. He has the determination to get to where he wants. It’s also his resilience, his focus.
“Ash is a very intellectual individual. He could have been anything in this world and he would have made it a success. He chose coaching. And I think in a few years’ time he will be at the pinnacle of where he wants to be.
“If along the way he happens to become a role model for other people in the community, if this allows others to chase their dreams, then that can only be a good thing for the UK as a whole.”
