Harrow’s Qasim Khan was crowned Under-12 champion at the sixth instalment of Chelsea’s Asian Star initiative on Monday at the club’s Cobham training ground.
The youngsters took part in a day of activities designed to increase Asian participation in all levels of the game, while the winners in each age group are invited to join the Chelsea Foundation's Football Development Centres.
Chelsea Foundation coaches were joined by coaches from the Zesh Rehman Foundation, with participants competing in under-9s to under-12s age groups. Children were judged on a series of matches and tests specifically designed and used by the Chelsea Academy to examine speed, skill and ability.
Khan said: “I didn’t expect it but I thought I played well and some of my team mates thought I would get it, but when I heard my name I was so excited.
“I like to play centre midfield and on the wing and I feel I learnt a lot from just one day at Chelsea as my movement was something the coaches immediately helped with and improved.”
Asian Star is the first scheme of its kind undertaken by a professional football club. It is designed to boost Asian participation at all levels of the game.
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