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The scheme, launched alongside anti-discriminatory body Kick It Out,
is part of the No Room For Racism plan, which aims to improve
playing, coaching and executive pathways for black, Asian and
minority ethnic groups.
It will focus on increasing South Asian representation at the
Under-9 to Under-11 level, and will include research into barriers
from entry to the sport for young players.
According to data released by the Professional Footballers'
Association (PFA) in March, there are just 16 professional
footballers in the top four tiers of English football with British
South Asian heritage.
"The South Asian Action Plan is a long-term project which will
enable us to look at and improve the diversity of everyone within
the academy system, both on and off the pitch," Premier League
director of football Neil Saunders said.
"Representation of South Asians on the pitch in elite football is a
statistical anomaly," Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari added.
"Currently, it reflects neither the population nor the popularity of
football amongst the British South Asian community. We love the game
as fans and want to be seen more on the pitch."
English cricket has also been attempting to address a lack of South
Asian representation in the sport after a number of players,
including former Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq, alleged they were
victims of institutional racism at their clubs.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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