Beckham schoolgirl wins top sports award (From Asian Image)

Beckham schoolgirl wins top sports award

1:08pm Wednesday 10th February 2010 in

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A SCHOOLGIRL footballer from Edmonton who once trained with David Beckham has won a highly coveted sports award.

Riana Devi Soobadoo, 17, from Morley Avenue, was named Young British Asian Sports Personality of the Year at the Sony TV Sports Awards on Saturday.

She fought off competition from more than 200 youngsters to win the award, which recognised young Asian women with great determination and exceptional potential for success.

The glittering ceremony, at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, was attended by a spate of sports stars and celebrities, including boxer Amir Khan, Heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis and hip-hop star Chipmunk.

Riana attended the event with her parents, sister, four grandparents and three uncles.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said: "I'm so happy. It hasn't really sunk in yet. I was in shock when I heard.

"I'm really pleased that I've received an award that recognises the hard work I've put in.

"Eventually I hope I become an inspiration to local young people and encourage them to take up sports."

Riana's rise to stardom began in 2005 when she was spotted at David Beckham's Football Academy and asked to take part in a series of photo shoots with the man himself in London, LA and Madrid.

She has since played for Arsenal, Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur.

Two seasons ago she joined Barnet's senior team, where she is the youngest player, and last year she won the FA Puma Trophy for the South of England Under-16s Player of the Year.

Eventually she hopes to play professionally for England.

Proud father, Ravin Soobadoo, 42, said: "It was such a shock. We are reliving the moment again and again.

"I see this as a reflection of all of Riana's hard work and achievements to-date, including playing at international level.

"She has trained with Beckham in the past and he is a very big inspiration for her. It was especially good for her to meet him and see how humble he is despite his fame and celebrity.

"He is a great role model."