Bradford will host the Khalsa Football Federation tournament on June 21-22 in a knock-out competition that will see the countries' finest Asian talent descend on the city.

The only team to represent Yorkshire will be Bradford's Albion Sports, who will be hoping to add yet more honours to their hugely impressive trophy haul.

Albion manager Kulwinder Sandhu has been a key figure in the development of the Khalsa FF since its inception in 1987.

He said: "To host a tournament of such magnitude and prestige in Bradford is a massive boost to the city and it raises the profile of Asian football.

"The size of this tournament cannot be underestimated. To co-ordinate 64 teams from around the country into playing in one venue over just one weekend takes some doing. It is something Bradford can be very proud of."

Bradford has been chosen as one of five venues that will host the prestigious tournament.

The first stage of the 64-team tournament was recently played in Walsall and the second round will take place in Leicester next weekend. The competition then comes to Bradford University's Woodhall playing fields before further rounds in Derby and Birmingham.

Albion will be hoping to bounce back from their semi-final defeat in Walsall and add further honours to a club, which has, in recent years, been crowned Asian champions twice nationally and received two civic receptions for its fine achievements.

During the past season, Albion, who are based at the Albion Sports bar on Leeds Road, claimed the treble of Bradford Sunday Alliance Premier League title, the West Riding County Cup and Bradford Senior Cup, whilst Kulwinder was awarded the Manager of the Year.

As a proud Bradfordian, the Albion boss is delighted with the many positives that the city can take from hosting the tournament - not least the financial benefits of accommodating 64 teams and their various entourages for a weekend.

"It's great for Bradford and a

real boost to the local economy, with so many visitors staying in the city and booking all the hotels up.

"The city will be buzzing during the tournament and it will be a great weekend for everybody involved", beamed Kulwinder, who will be hoping his squad can withstand a tough schedule which could see them playing

four games over just two days if they are to emerge victorious from the knockout competition.

The quality in standard of not only Albion Sports - but of the tournament generally - will serve to reflect the wider progress made by the Asian community in football, albeit at an amateur level.

"There are always a number of scouts who attend the tournament because they are aware of the abundance of talent within the Asian community," added Kulwinder, who will divide his weekend between organising his troops and ensuring the smooth running of the tournament.

"With events such as this, we will simply go from strength to strength and it will only be a matter of time before an Asian footballer makes the grade at the highest level."

The Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Temple, on Leeds Road, has provided considerable financial input into the tournament and the many trophies that are required for the event's winners and runners-up.