The tenth Chelsea’s Asian Star saw 200 young players take part.

Staged at Stamford Bridge for the first time 12 months ago, following eight years at the Cobham training ground, the initiative returned to SW6  with 100s of parents watching from the stands as the players performed on the hallowed turf.

The winners in each age group are invited to join the Chelsea Foundation's Football Development Centres and for the first time girls were also invited to take part.

Participants competing in age groups ranging from under-9s to under-12s were led by Chelsea Foundation coaches and judged on a series of matches and tests specifically designed and used by the Chelsea Academy to examine speed, skill and ability. 

Noah Holmes, Nathan Devshi, Xavier Mir and Karlo Heydary were crowned champions in the under-12, under-11, under-10 and under-9 categories respectively.

Prizes were presented by former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who 24 hours earlier had been in the dugout with Antonio Conte as the Blues beat Manchester United 1-0 to lift the FA Cup, and former Asian Star winners Sam Khan and Jai Sharma, who play for Tamworth and Nottingham Forest respectively. 

Sabina Peterson-Ragalingam became the first girl’s player to be recognised at the event and as part of the prize will now receive a trial at our Girls Regional Talent Centre, while prizes were also handed out to four further young players who impressed the Foundation coaches.

Also in attendance, to assist our coaches, were volunteers from St Mary’s University and pupils who attend the Chelsea Foundation programme at Merrist Wood College.

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Cudicini, who combines his coaching role with an ambassadorial role at the club praised all those involved with putting on the annual event. 

He said: ‘It is a great event put on by the fantastic coaches at the Chelsea Foundation. As soon as you arrive you see so many smiles from the young players involved and that is down to the coaches.

‘The Foundation and club work hard to support the community and Asian Star is an example of that.

‘It seems to get bigger and better each year and to see girls involved for the first time is a great for the club."

Under-12 winner Noah Holmes said: ‘It means so much to win. I can’t explain how good a feeling it is and how happy I am."

Under-11 winner Nathan Devshi added: ‘I am a centre midfielder and my favourite player is Kante so it felt great to play where he does. I am so happy to win."

Under-10 winner Xavier Mir said: ‘The best moment was the whole day! Playing in the morning was great but then it got even better with the matches. I enjoyed it."

Under-9 winner Karlo Heydary said: ‘It is the best experience to win and get a shirt and a trophy from Chelsea. I’ve never been here before so it makes it even more special."