Junior Bulls prospect Abdul Khan hopes to make it big in Super League and set a precedent for the Asian community.

The 16-year-old has become the first Asian player to ever sign for the champions after being plucked from Drighlington ARL.

Given Bradford's large ethnic community, it is incredible nobody else has broken through before at Grattan Stadium, Odsal but representation is a nationwide problem.

There are currently no Asian players in the entire competition and before the dawn of the summer era the only one to make any noticeable impact was former Leeds, Featherstone and Huddersfield winger Ikram Butt.

He is the only Asian to represent England, playing against Wales in 1995, and is now RL development officer for Bradford Council, working hard to improve participation at amateur level.

Second row/prop Khan plans to bolster the cause by making an impression with the Bulls and said: "It's been my dream all my life to sign professionally.

"It's awesome to be here and I'm over the moon.

"The club has been great. The coaching is brilliant and I've really enjoyed training and playing at the Bulls.

"It's a great opportunity for me, being the first Asian to sign for Bradford as well, and hopefully it will encourage others to get into the game. Rugby league is not really a big sport for Asians but it would be great to see more and more playing at Bradford.

"I don't think it has been publicised enough in the Asian community but it is an awesome game to play."

Khan made his debut for the Bulls' Junior Academy against Leeds and is in the under-18 side that visits Wakefield on Saturday.

The Birstall-based teenager has now penned an 18-month contract and Steve McNamara admits it is a landmark day.

"It's significant that Abdul is the first Asian to sign for Bulls and hopefully he'll be the first of many," said the Odsal boss.

"Rugby league is an exciting sport and I'm sure that once the Asian community do get involved they will realise just how great it is.

"Abdul has already shown tremendous dedication. He religiously followed a weights and conditioning training programme and straight away his body is developing.

"You can tell the kid has the right type of attitude. He's a good young prospect who has earned the first bit of his contract. Hopefully there will be more."

Khan added: "My biggest influences have been my family, who have kept pushing me all my life, along with the Drighlington club, my team-mates there and at Shaw Cross."

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