Ikram Butt was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Sport Science at the Leeds Metropolitan Universities Graduation ceremony on Friday 22nd July. The recognition was towards his outstanding contribution to sport and the community in the UK and abroad.
A delighted Ikram Butt stated ‘The graduation event was an amazing and truly humbling experience. I am very honoured and overwhelmed to receive this award from such a prestigious university and its all the more so from the City I grew up. Non of my achievements would of been possible without the tremendous support given to me by my wonderful family and countless legions of teachers, mentors and friends from the City of Leeds and beyond, who have all spurned me on. It is in their name and their honour that I accept this award.’
The event was attended by a number of V.I.P guests including Emma Rosewarne, Operations Director, from the Rugby Football League, Greg Mulholland MP, Hanif Malik, Hamara C.E.O and Sport England board member, Junaid Malik, BARA Director and Matloob Khan, To View Properties.
During his acceptance speech Ikram talked about the importance of sport and how it can play its part stating that when communities all over the world face many challenges. Whether those are political, social, cultural, or economical challenges, there has never been a more important time to use the powerful vehicle of sport as a means of bringing people together in an environment of mutual understanding and respect.
Chair of the All Party Rugby League Parliamentary Group and Leeds North West MP, Greg Mulholland added ‘Ikram has given outstanding service to the game of rugby league bringing about positive change here in the UK and abroad including countries such as Pakistan and India. No one is more deserving in receiving this recognition than Ikram and I am delighted to be here and witness this wonderful occasion’.
Other guests at the event included Lord Woolmer of Leeds who is the Chair at Leeds Metropolitan University and Welsh Rugby Legend and Dean of Carnegie, Gareth Davies.