Dual code rugby international, Ikram Butt has been recognised in the recent Power 100 Awards.

As the largest ever initiative of its kind in promoting the most influential Pakistani men and women within Britain, Pakistan Power 100 took place recently at a glittering and star studded event at the Park Plaza hotel, Westminster.

Ikram was honoured in the Trailblazers category and was nominated amongst leaders from a wide range of areas including media, business, arts, sport, public sector and charity.

Ikram commented, “It is a wonderful honour to have received this award at such a prestigious event. It would not have been possible without the tremendous support of many people. To feature in the Pakistan Power 100 publication is a truly outstanding accolade.”

Greg Mulholland MP, MP for Leeds North West and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, commented, “It is fantastic that Ikram has once again been listed in the Power 100. This is a great tribute to him but also a tribute to rugby and all he has done to contribute to both codes. People involved in rugby as well as people in Leeds are rightly very proud of him”.

Khalid Darr, Chairman of Pakistan Power 100, added “Ikram’s contribution to bringing about a positive change for the future of Pakistan, its people and its perception has been outstanding and he is deservedly one of the Pakistan Power 100 Trail Blazers”

Ikram created history when he became the first British Asian to represent England at either code of rugby during the 1995 European Championships. Furthermore he has spearheaded a number of ground breaking initiatives including the formation of the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) which develops sporting, educational & cultural links between the UK and the South Asia region.

He has established the British Pakistan & Pakistan Rugby League teams and published his autobiography ‘Tries & Prejudice’ described by the Guardian newspaper as ‘fascinating and inspiring’. All proceeds went to two charities.

He is a sporting ambassador for the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, White Ribbon, Mosaic, British Asian Trust and the Pakistan Recovery Fund.

In July 2011, Ikram was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Sport Science for his enduring contribution to sporting innovation and services to community sport programmes between the UK and South Asia by Leeds Metropolitan University.