The British Asian Rugby Association (BARA), formed in Bradford in 2004 by former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Ikram Butt, has celebrated its tenth anniversary with a reception at the House of Commons.

Dual-code international Butt, who has played rugby league for England and rugby union for Pakistan, says that BARA has been a force for good in promoting community cohesion across the United Kingdom in both codes.

The House of Commons event, made possible through the sponsorship of Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, featured a host of keynote speakers, including former professional footballer and Football Association anti-racism champion Paul Elliott CBE and Mark Pawsey MP, chair of the Commons and Lords Rugby Club.

In addition, Seema Malhotra MP, Shadow Minister for preventing violence against women and girls, talked about the White Ribbon Campaign that was recently adopted as a cause by BARA.

National Sport England board member Hanif Malik, of the Leeds-based Hamara Centre, and Qari Asim MBE, Imam at Leeds Makkah Mosque, also delivered speeches.

Butt, widely recognised as one of the most influential British Asian role models after picking up a number of awards for his work with BARA, said: "We've come a very long way in the past decade, with many effective initiatives and projects delivered within communities across the nation that seek to build bridges and cement community relations through sport.

"Both codes of rugby represent excellent vehicles for promoting social progress, and I would like to put on record my heartfelt thanks to each and every individual and organisation that has supported our efforts since 2004, especially Greg Mulholland MP, whose support made this event possible.

"Now, more than ever, we need to promote positive messages about anti-racism, discrimination and domestic violence, and BARA will continue to keep banging the drum for progressive initiatives such as these."

Butt, the first player of Asian heritage to represent England at either code of rugby who also starred for Featherstone Rovers and London Broncos, added: "I look forward to BARA celebrating 20 years of success in 2024!".

Elliott said: "It's important that young people have the opportunity to thrive by getting involved in sport.

"BARA is an organisation that makes sport fun and free of prejudice, and that can only contribute towards bringing everyone together."

Qari Asim MBE added: "BARA is an association that works in communities and with communities and has played an instrumental role in bringing people together, particularly after events such as the 7/7 bombing in London."