Vimal Yoganathan: I can't remember any Tamil players growing up. It's a problem'

Yoganathan says, "It would be a big moment for the community if I played and obviously it would raise a lot more awareness and gain a lot more attention." He emphasizes his aim to inspire the next generation of south Asian players while focusing on his performances.

Reflecting on his journey, Yoganathan highlights, "I don't think I met a single Tamil footballer, so it's definitely a problem that's all the way through the pyramid." He acknowledges the rarity of players from south Asian backgrounds in football, even in amateur leagues.

Yoganathan mentions, "It is sometimes hard to believe you can make it when your reference points are nonexistent, working against a tide." He explains the struggle of aspiring athletes from underrepresented backgrounds.

He points out, "there's also that risk and uncertainty about the industry because you can devote your life to it growing up for 15 to 18 years and still miss out." This reflects the challenges faced by aspiring footballers from diverse backgrounds.

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