Plans are being drawn up for this year's Asian Image Cup to be held at the Blackburn Rovers Academy complex in Brockhall.

The tournament which is now in its eighth year has become a major regional sporting event in recent years with the winners going on to represent the North West at the UK National Asian football championships.

But this year's format will be different and aims to become bigger and better and on a par with the national finals.

It is hoped this year eight teams will be invited to compete for the title of North West champions. Last year Asia FC of Rochdale beat Blackburn United to win the cup for a second time.

Although initial plans have to be fully confirmed the tournament will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday May 4, Sunday May 5 and Monday Mayy 6.

Unlike the UK Asian Football Championships, invited clubs will be permitted to include players of all ethnicity.

The state-of-the-art Blackburn Rovers Youth Academy is one of the most modern football academies of it's kind in the world.

The £4.75 million facility was built for the cream of Rovers' youth talent and includes five full-sized pitches and a half-sized pitch, indoor training facilities, a swimming pool and accommodation for 36 players. The tournament will be a straight knock-out with quarter-final games taking place on Saturday , Semi-finals on the Sunday and the final on the Monday Bank holiday.

A draw for the competition will take place in April.

9:43am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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