London Sport Awards winners recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours

Numerous London Sport Awards winners were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list over the weekend alongside our CEO Tove Okunniwa.

Tove was awarded an MBE for Services to Sport but there was also a wider recognition of the importance of sport and physical activity in Londoners’ lives throughout the honours list.

Dr Rashmi Becker, founder of Step Change Studios and Sport England board member, was awarded an MBE for her work with disabled people.

Step Change Studios performed at the London Sport Awards with the dance organisation picking up The Physical Activity for Health Award at the Guildhall in March 2020.

There was also recognition for London Sport’s Volunteer of the Year from 2017 as Henry Palton-Gaspard was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work with Black Arrows Badminton Club.

Trustee of Muslimah Sports Assocation – London Sport Awards winners in 2018 – Reha Ullah will also receive a BEM for her services to sport and the community.

BCOMs founder and former London Sport Awards judge Leon Mann was also be awarded an MBE in recognition of his work to improve diversity in sport, particularly in the media.

There was also recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for Chris Grant, Sport England trustee, who will pick up an OBE while Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO Lisa Wainwright and Women in Sport chair Jayne Haines were awarded an MBEs.

Tanya Rabin, Director of Commercial, Marketing and Communications, said:

“London Sport is immensely proud of Tove’s achievements but also delighted to see the wider sport and physical activity sector get the recognition it so richly deserves. Inspirational individuals make things happen

“We hope these awards underlines how important sport and physical activity is to Londoners’ lives and the massive positive impact it can have across the capital.

“We were delighted to see so many London Sport Awards winners receive recognition in the Queen’s Birthday Honours particularly with nominations for 2021 opening just last week.”

Dr Rashmi Becker MBE added: 

"It is extremely humbling to be recognised, especially when so many people are working selflessly to make a positive difference. 

"This past year has been especially challenging but I have also loved having the opportunity to support people's wellbeing and bring people together through dance."

Nominations for the London Sport Awards 2021, in association with City of London Corporation, are now open, find out how you can recognise the incredible individuals and groups in the capital here.