Telecommunications giant, Airtel Nigeria, has launched the second edition of its soccer talent hunt tagged Airtel Rising Stars Season 2.
The programme, which began last year, is expected to be bigger, better and bolder this year.
According to the Deepak Srivastava, the Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director of the company, this year’s edition has been modified to accommodate all youths in every corner of the country.
“Airtel Rising Stars two will be unique in so many ways because it will last for eight months, covering most states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Unlike the maiden edition, ARS 2 will run on a league format, featuring league stages including intra-state, state championship, zonal championship, national tournament, inter country and a national tour,” he said.
Speaking further, the Airtel boss said that the company unveiled soccer talent hunt programme with objective of identifying and nurturing of of budding talents from grassroots onto international stage.
“The maiden edition produced five exceptionally talented Nigerians as winners. These winners were flown to South Africa for a week exclusive international football clinic at the prestigious international institute for sports, Cape Town, courtesy of Aitel,” he said.
The Airtel boss also announced that two of the discoveries from the last year’s edition, Chibuzor Obasi and Muritala Oriyomi Lawal,have been called up to the National under-17 camp in Abuja.
According to the Airtel COO, this year’s edition of the talent hunt will feature over 60,000 Nigerians both male and female. A breakdown of the figure indicates 96 teams of 18 players from schools and sports academies in each state of the federation.
Winners at state stage of the talent hunt will be rewarded with cash prize and other Airtel goodies.
Aitel is organsing the programme in conjunction with Nigeria School Sports Federation and Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria.
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