East Kilbride mum 'speechless' after being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024

A Lanarkshire mum was left in tears of joy after being named in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 awards, which celebrates Unsung Hero's across the UK.

The Unsung Hero award honours the volunteers who make a positive impact on their community by enabling participation in grassroots sports, bringing people together with a shared passion for sport.

Of the 15 recipients is Moon Mughis, who has been the "driving force" behind making East Kilbride Cricket Club a more inclusive space for women and girls who want to play the sport.

The history-making mum is the first Muslim and Asian woman in Scotland to qualify as an ECB Level 2 cricket coach.

Inspired by her daughter Nayma Shaikh - who currently plays for Scotland women's national cricket team - she created a women’s and girl’s section in 2018, which now includes teams competing in the Cricket Scotland Women’s Premier League. Under her leadership, the number of girls playing cricket at the club has more than doubled, while embracing inclusivity and encouraging women and girls from all backgrounds to get involved.

Completely taken aback by the award, an emotional Moon told the BBC: "I was not expecting this at all.

"I just wanted to empower women and girls. I saw a huge gap and wanted to be the one to fill it, and give each and every girl the chance to showcase their abilities with freedom and confidence.

"Being recognised on such a huge scale makes a very talkative person speechless. I'm really thankful."

Nayma added: "I started cricket because of mum, my mum was my role model and is my inspiration."

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport said: "The BBC is proud to celebrate the incredible volunteers who make grassroots sports possible by creating opportunities and bringing communities together.

"Their passion and dedication are the heart of sport, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on their amazing work through the BBC Sport Personality Unsung Hero award."

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