Rangers’ work in the community has been recognised by the Indian Councils of Scotland and the UK by way of a prestigious cohesion award.
The Gers have been presented with the award for Outstanding Achievement for Community Relations, in no small part down to the continuing success of the landmark Everyone, Anyone campaign.
The award stands as a testament to the solid work done in this area by the club and support and it continues what is a growing bond with the sub-continent of India on and off the pitch at Ibrox.
Rangers announced a partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru in 2019 where the club will help their Indian brothers with coaching, academy work and the fundamentals of running an elite football club.
In return Rangers will strengthen their position in India – which has a population of over 1bn people – whilst keeping an eye on the development of footballers in the region in the future.
The link-up is also supplemented by Rangers owning the exclusive SPFL TV rights in the country with the Ibrox side clearly investing in the development of the game in India.
Rangers have also signed a partnership with the All India Football Federation as the club continues to work closely with footballing authorities in the country, including the nation’s male and female national teams.
The signing of Bala Devi for the Rangers Women’s team in 2021 was also a landmark moment for Indian football, with Devi becoming the first professional woman footballer from India to play for a European club.
Rangers praised after receiving Indian Councils Award
Rangers were praised by Neil Lal, Chairman and President of both the Scottish and UK Indian Councils, after receiving the award with the club’s developmental work in India highlighted.
“The Indian Councils of Scotland and the United Kingdom are delighted to recognise Rangers Football Club for their outstanding contribution and leadership to community cohesion and tackling all forms of discrimination,” said Lal [Rangers].
“We commend the Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, and the board of Rangers FC for their commitment to ensure people of all backgrounds and cultures can enjoy football in a safe and tolerant atmosphere.
“The leadership and commitment shown by Rangers FC for their ground-breaking diversity and inclusion campaign, ‘Everyone Anyone’ is worthy of the highest praise.
“Being Scotland’s largest and most successful football club is a great responsibility – but Rangers consistently rise to the challenge, and we are delighted to recognise Rangers Football Club for their continued commitment.
“We are also delighted they’ve begun fostering excellent relations with the football community in India. And, following recent discussion with Rangers, the Indian Councils of Scotland and the UK pledged to support Rangers FC with all their developmental work in India.”
Well done Rangers and it’s great to see the club’s Indian investment and work in inclusion and diversity receive an award and let’s hope there is more to come from the club’s growing relationship with football in the country.
Meanwhile, Rangers could be set to announce a high profile contract in the coming days.
