What Are The YAYAs And Who Is On The 2025 Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Awards Shortlist?

The list of nominees for the Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Awards 2025 is out, and it's packed with some seriously inspiring people. Known as the YAYAs, these awards are a pretty big deal across Yorkshire. They shine a light on the amazing achievements of young people aged 16 to 35 with South Asian heritage.

What makes the YAYAs special is that they celebrate individuals who have not only succeeded in their chosen fields but have often had to smash through personal or social barriers to get there. Whether it's overcoming grief or facing disadvantage, these are stories of pure determination. This whole thing was set up back in 2020 by the QED Foundation, a Bradford-based charity, to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Fast forward a few years, and the YAYAs have become a key event.

The QED Foundation itself has been doing incredible work since 1990, helping people from ethnic minority backgrounds get the education and training they need to thrive. Last year's overall winner, Mariam Habib, set a high bar, and this year's nominees are definitely ready to meet the challenge. The whole event is backed by headline sponsor York St John University, whose Vice Chancellor, Professor Karen Bryan, is a huge supporter of the awards.

What the YAYAs are all about

The YAYAs aren't just about handing out trophies. They are a celebration of resilience and talent within the Asian community in Yorkshire. The charity behind it all, the QED Foundation, was founded by Dr Mohammed Ali OBE in 1990. For 35 years now, this organisation has been a powerhouse in tackling inequality.

It's helped over 40,000 people by providing vital education and training, giving them a real chance to build better lives and break out of cycles of poverty. It's about creating opportunities and showing what's possible. The awards have quickly become one of the most anticipated events in the Bradford calendar each year. They cover nine categories, recognising achievements in everything from sport and health to media and the creative industries. There's also a special award for an overall Young Asian Achiever of the Year, which is the top prize of the night. The YAYAs are more than an awards ceremony; they're a platform for sharing stories that can inspire the next generation.

This year's inspiring nominees

Right, let's get to the good bit. Who's in the running this year? The shortlists are full of incredible people doing amazing things all over Yorkshire. Here's a look at the finalists in each category:

• Achievement in Sport: This category is packed with talent. There's Ayesha Khan, a footballer who's played for Sheffield United, Sheffield FC and Sheffield Wednesday. Then there's Nohmaan Hussain, a rising boxing star from Sheffield who also happens to work as an NHS Cardiac Intensive Care Practitioner. And finally, Sehran Ahmed, who has completely transformed student sport at the University of York.
• Health, Mental Health and Healthcare: These nominees are making a real difference. Zoyah Hussain is a GP in North Yorkshire who cares for her two sons with autism while also training to become a GP trainer. Usman Javaid is a young wellbeing practitioner and mental health campaigner from Bradford. Adil Mohammed, from Sheffield, overcame early barriers to become a paramedic. Their work in healthcare and mental health is vital.
• Arts and Creative Industries: The creative talent in Yorkshire is booming. Awais Hussain, from Bradford, co-founded a charity that celebrates South Asian heritage through the arts. Rayn Rabib is a 17-year-old award-winning musician, also from Bradford. And Heena Mahmood is an NHS physiotherapist from Leeds whose first book tackles racism in healthcare. They are pushing boundaries in the creative industries.
• Achievement in Media: Getting stories heard is so important. Rima Ahmed, who presents the BBC Radio Leeds Weekday Breakfast Show, is on the list. So is Sahdiya Pervez, a teacher who also runs online workshops and creates social media content. And many will recognise Musharaf Asghar, who captured the nation's heart on Educating Yorkshire as he overcame his stammer. He's now a motivational speaker, proving that facing life obstacles can lead to great success in the media.
• Achievement in Education: These three are shaping the future. Yashica Govind Vasanad is a 17-year-old from Halifax who, after experiencing grief, has become a passionate racial equality and anti-bullying campaigner. Mohammed Ali Adnan is an inspirational student at Bradford College who lives with Spina Bifida. And Shames Maskeen became the first in his family to go to university and is now making a huge impact in education at Leeds Trinity University.
• Young Entrepreneur / Private Sector: For the business-minded, there's Ali Zafar, who arrived in the UK at seven unable to speak English and is now the CEO of a social enterprise. Sidrah Ahmer is a Bradford-based entrepreneur and community leader with three businesses empowering local women through jobs and training. And Falaq Ujjala, also from Bradford, overcame personal grief to open a community café. Each entrepreneur is a testament to incredible spirit.
• Achievement in the Public Sector: These nominees serve their communities every day. Aqsa Saleem from Dewsbury is a police officer and a role model for young Asian women. Ismail Hussain Siraji Uddin from Bradford became one of the UK's youngest district councillors at just 19. And Aisha Hussain, also from Bradford, works for the Civil Service on serious crime cases.
• Not-For-Profit: Making a difference without seeking profit is a true calling. Aleem Bashir, CEO of the University of Bradford Student Union, is nominated. Neena Ugail promotes STEM to young people, and Maleehah Hussain, a law graduate from the University of Bradford, has dedicated her time to volunteering despite family loss.
• Overcoming Life Obstacles: Every nominee has overcome barriers, but this category specifically honours it. Dr Madiah Mahmood from Leeds survived a life-threatening illness and is now a doctor at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Nilah Ghulam is a disability practitioner at York St John University, and Sabba Nosheen from Bradford runs her own business while being a single mother to three children with severe allergies.

What the organisers have to say

The people behind the YAYAs are clearly passionate about what they do, and their excitement for this year's event is obvious. Dr Mohammed Ali OBE, founder of the QED Foundation, shared his thoughts:

"As we celebrate 35 years of QED Foundation, we are delighted to welcome back the YAYAs for the fifth time, and we're thrilled, too, with the quality of the entries from right across the region. Many of the shortlisted candidates have overcome great hardships or challenges in order to be successful, which is why it is wonderful to be able to share their inspiring stories with a wider audience and highlight them in such a positive way."

Adeeba Malik CBE, deputy chief executive of the QED Foundation, added: "These awards demonstrate the wealth of young talent that exists in our communities. The YAYAs aren't merely a celebration, they're a campaign that inspires others. As someone who grew up in this country without having role models to follow, I know how important they, and their absence, can be. If people see someone successful who looks like them and talks like them, the impact can be truly profound." Professor Karen Bryan OBE, from headline sponsor York St John University, also commented:

"York St John University is proud to have been the lead partner with the YAYA Awards since 2020 when they were launched. The YAYAs are a celebration of the talent, determination, and creativity of young people of South Asian heritage. These awards play an incredibly important role in highlighting the inspiring impact this year's nominees and winners are making in their communities. For us, they serve as a powerful reminder of our commitment to ensuring young people from all backgrounds have access to the opportunities and support they need."

The big night in Bradford

All the shortlisted candidates will be heading to a massive gala dinner on November 27 at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford. It's set to be a fantastic night where business leaders and local figures will gather to celebrate. The winners for each category, plus the overall winner of the year, will finally be announced. The ceremony will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Noreen Khan, with a keynote speech from Rami Baitieh, the Chief Executive of Morrisons. With a line-up like that, it's clear how much support there is for celebrating the young talent in the region. This year's event is more than just another awards night; it's a milestone for the QED Foundation and a testament to 35 years of changing lives. Good luck to all the nominees