Asian soccer stars to be discovered thanks to new FA-backed scheme.
Chelsea have teamed up with The FA, Kick It Out and the Asian Media Group in a search for young Asian football stars of the future.
Asian Soccer Star will see open trials for youngsters from Asian backgrounds during the May bank holiday with the most talented players being offered a three-day residential trial at the Club’s world class academy.
The Search for an Asian Star event will take place on 2, 3 and 4 May at Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, for players in the Under 12, 13 and 14 age groups and will be open to London- and South-East-based players from Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi backgrounds.
“We realise that there is a lack of representation of players from Asian backgrounds within the game and we hope that the competition will help inspire Asian youngsters,” said former Chelsea and England star Graeme Le Saux.
“We want to show that race is no barrier to joining our Club and that opportunities for Asian players do exist. We are proud of the religious and racial diversity at Chelsea and it is important that all clubs share our ambition that players should only be judged on their talent and their potential,” he added.
Chelsea already have two young British Asian players in their academy and The FA’s Brendon Batson is right behind the new project to unearth more Asian football talent. “The FA are delighted to offer support to the Asian Soccer Star initiative," he said.
“For a club like Chelsea to offer these opportunities demonstrates their commitment to breaking down the barriers between the game and the Asian Community and mirrors the ambition of The FA that football is representative of all our communities.”
Participants will be judged on a series of matches and tests specifically designed and used by the Chelsea Academy to demonstrate their speed, skills and ability.
Kick It Out’s Piara Power added: “I hope that the Search for an Asian Soccer Star project will help inspire Asian players to take their involvement further at all levels of the game.
“For a leading club like Chelsea to provide such fantastic opportunities for Asian players shows they are taking the issues facing Asian participation seriously.”
Zesh Rehman, the first British Asian player to play at all levels of the professional game, said: “I think clubs need to take a more active role and engage with their communities, and I think it’s a great project.
“Chelsea are a Premier League club with a massive profile across the world and I’m sure that other clubs can look at that and use it as a template for future reference.”
To register for the trials please
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