Backed By Cobblers Defender Kash Saddiqi
Young Asian footballers have been given the opportunity to catch the eye of scouts from professional clubs in a five-a-side tournament due to be held in Northampton.
The first ever Asia Cup will be held at Goals Soccer Centre in Mereway, Northampton on Tuesday, October 28, with representatives from the Cobblers, Coventry, MK Dons and other professional clubs all on hand hoping to snap up a star of the future.
The tournament is the brainchild of keen football fans Naz Islam, owner of Saffron restaurant in Northampton, Tipu Rahman, who runs the Tamarind restaurant in Wellingborough Road, and Prince Sadiq Choudhury.
It has been backed by organisations including the FA, Kick It Out and Football for Peace.
Mr Islam said: “It is incredibly difficult for young Asians to make it big in professional football. The talent is there but the path to success is not as clear.
“With no Asians playing at the top level it means these kids do not have a role model to call their own. We want to help give youngsters the opportunity to get spotted and earn the right to play professional football.”
The Asia Cup, which has been sponsored by Michael Ellis, Conservative MP for Northampton North, is open to squads of seven players, five of which must be from an Asian background. Players must be aged over 16.
The tournament is supported by Northampton Town and has been backed by Football for Peace ambassador and Cobblers defender Kash Saddiqi, a Pakistan international.
He said: “I know how hard it is for young Asians to break into top level football. Hopefully the Asia Cup can make a real difference and open the eyes of professional clubs to the abundance of talent there is out there in the Asian community.”
For more details on how to enter, call organisers Naz Islam on 07852 714163, Tipu Rahman on 07583 085215 or Prince Sadiq Choudhury on 07872 146945.
