Founded by Arvi Sahota, the East London supporters’ group who are linked with Leyton Orient Football Club, strive to bring inclusivity and help increase the South Asian community’s footprint on football.
In January 2024, Orient made the fan group their official Punjabi supporters’ group, through their excellent work for the community.
Earlier this year, back in April, the Punjabi O’s were awarded the EFL Diversity Award for their incredible work in tackling discrimination and creating an open, friendly environment for people in football. The group aims to help elevate the voices of South Asian fans and they aspire to create an environment that celebrates and is proud of the cultural heritage of the Punjabi community. The supporters’ group are looking to increase the inclusivity during matchdays and are focused on breaking down barriers for fans who are visiting Brisbane Road, Leyton Orient’s home stadium. The founder, Arvi Sahota said: “We are here to shape the much-needed change in English football to make the game truly more inclusive and representative.”
With their aspirations, one includes aiming to increase South Asia’s participation in football. With their strong links to Leyton Orient, the fan-driven initiative hopes that more players from the region can represent the football club. During the 2023/24 season, only 22 players out of 3,700 professional male footballers had South Asian heritage.
Sahota conducted an interview with Orient boss Richie Wellens towards the latter stages of last season, where the pair discussed Sonny Perkins and Dillon Markinday, who are from South Asian heritage and were both at the club at the time. The manager said the pair will be inspirational to people from the local community who have the same background as them, with the hopes of more footballers from the area can make it professional.
“I love the communication from the Punjabi O’s and I loves the connection the football club has with the local community here in Leyton,” said Wellens to Sky Sports. He also went on to speak about the positive work conducted by the fan group, but with the size of the stadium capacity only being 9,271, the number of people from different backgrounds going to games cannot reach the levels the club would like right now.
Sahota also spoke about how the supporters group use their strong connection with the club to try and help players from South Asian heritage to appear in the academy and increase diversity throughout the club, with the hopes of those players reaching the first-team.
The groups work so far has been nothing short of successful and their great work will help to attract players with heritage from the region to represent the club. While players will be attracted to the club, fans from different backgrounds will feel welcomed, thanks to the Punjabi O’s and their constant ways of improving the fans experience at Leyton Orient Football Club.
