Chelsea scheme to boost Asian participation in football returns

Chelsea’s ground-breaking Asian Star initiative returns for the eighth successive year at the end of May, promising to be bigger and better than before.

The scheme, the first of its kind undertaken by a professional football club, is designed to give a much-needed boost to Asian participation at all levels of the game.

This year's event will take place on Monday, May 30 at Chelsea's Cobham training ground.

Former Chelsea striker and club ambassador Tore Andre Flo was in attendance to cast his eye over those playing last year where more than 300 youngsters attended the event.

Flo, who played for Chelsea between 1997 and 2000 and now works as a coach in the Academy, was making his first appearance at Asian Star and was hugely impressed with both the day and the talent on show.

He said: "It's great for the club to be involved in a project like this. Chelsea are involved in a lot of great things for children, including developing grassroots football and most of all allowing children to enjoy themselves which they do on such a day like this.

"It must be a great day for the children, coming here to Cobham and using these facilities at Chelsea Football Club. I can imagine that this day is like a great adventure for them.

"Chelsea are doing a great job with grassroots football especially with events like Asian Star, which is why I enjoy being involved with this club."

Chelsea are involved in a lot of great things for children, including developing grassroots football and most of all allowing children to enjoy themselves.

Asian Star was launched in 2009 and has grown in size since, with those attending competing in a series of matches and tests to examine speed, skill and ability. The winners in each age group are all invited to join one of the Chelsea Foundation's football development centres.

Chelsea will also be inviting managers, coaches and scouts from clubs at all levels of the game to identify talented youngsters. Workshops and useful information will also be available on the day for parents.

Asian Star returns on Monday 30 May, with applications for players aged 9-12 now open at www.chelseafc.com/asianstar