Chelsea's Asian Star To Continue  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea have announced their ground-breaking Asian Star initiative will take place for the seventh consecutive year this May.

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 with this year’s event taking place on Monday, May 25.

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has lent his support to the initiative, which attracted almost almost 400 young players to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground last year.

“Chelsea are doing a lot of work in the community and Asian Star is another example of that,” Azpilicueta said.

“It is very important we do our bit in the community and the event gives kids a great opportunity to show what they can do to all the scouts and other people watching.

“We need to encourage more young Asian players to play football so it is important Chelsea are trying to help this.

“This has been a success for many years and gives dreams to children who might not have had chances like this before.”

Children across four age categories will take part in a series of matches and tests to examine speed, skill and ability, with the winners invited to join a Chelsea Foundation football development centre.

Managers, coaches and scouts have also been invited to help identify talented youngsters.