Chelsea's talent search in Malaysia

Chelsea Football Club has agreed to be the exclusive football club partner of a grass roots talent search in Malaysia. The Super Soccer Star television show will be broadcast by RTM, the country’s leading free-to-air broadcaster, in December. The news follows Chelsea’s highly successful pre-season friendly in Kuala Lumpur that attracted a 60,000 plus crowd. It is the second time Chelsea has been involved in the Super Soccer Star format. The first show was broadcast in Guangdong, the southern province of China, where Chelsea also played a pre-season friendly this summer. Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon said: "We are delighted to be involved again in this innovative project that helps us deliver on our continuing commitment to promote grass roots football among youngsters in Asia. "The show complements our involvement in Vision Asia with the AFC as well as showcasing Chelsea to a large audience and we look forward to hosting the finalists of Super Soccer Star in England once again." Super Soccer Star is co-produced by British company Galleon plc and provides a mix of football and entertainment as well as interactive content for viewers. The show aims to promote football skills and fitness across the 14-16 age group and will appeal to family peak-time viewing. The tests by which participants are judged are based on those used at the Chelsea Academy. The club’s name and brand will be promoted on air and in conjunction with the naming of the show. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) are also a partner. The four finalists are destined to visit Chelsea’s world renowned Academy and Stamford Bridge later this year. The show extends Chelsea’s relationship with Malaysia. As well as the friendly in July against a Malaysian Select XI, the FAM’s President His Royal Highness Sultan Ahmad Shah visited Cobham earlier this year where two young Malaysian players had been invited to train at the Academy. Chelsea is already the official football development partner of the Asian Football Confederation's Vision China project that aims to set up 15 city leagues in China.