16 Indian boys for Arsenal Soccer Festival

16 boys have been named to represent India at the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival in London in July 2011. Earlier 30 boys had been short-listed for a two week camp from May 16 to 30 from whom these 16 boys have been picked by coaches from English giants FC Arsenal.

The 'Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars' is a national school football tournament which is organised by Tata Tea in association with English Premier League club FC Arsenal London for children aged between 10 - 15 years. The tournament kicked-off on December 14, 2010 and was held across 15 cities - Mumbai, Akola, Bhubaneswar, Indore, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Varanasi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Kozikode, Lucknow, Goa, Gangtok and Shillong with each city having its own elimination rounds, culminating in national finals in Shillong in April 2011.

From the cities legs and the national final 30 boys were chosen for the final camp. The current season is the fourth edition of the 'Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars' and has witnessed a record participation of more than 7,000 budding players from 1,000+ schools from across India. Season 4 of 'Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars' saw its first foray into the Northeastern states like Sikkim and Meghalaya.

Sumit Handa, Marketing Manager Tata Global Beverages, announced the 16 shortlisted players who will be participating in the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival yesterday at the end of the two week camp. Three boys each come from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Shillong and Gangtok; while two from Bangalore plus one each from Kozhikode and Bhubaneswar. Gur Simrat Singh has been named captain of the squad.

Speaking on the occasion Sumit Handa said, "There is a need for greater visibility of opportunities and options available in Soccer so that young people can respond to their inner calling for this sport. Tata Global Beverages in association with Arsenal FC has worked to create the right environment for players with talent and passion for progress. With Arsenal Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars we seek to encourage a coordinated approach to Soccer at national and international level."

Andrew Douglous, the Head of the Arsenal Soccer School, said "We are glad to be associated with such an initiative started by Tata Global Beverages to promote soccer talent in India. This tournament is an incredible platform for the kids who aspire to take the world of sports by storm. It is imperative to build and provide an infrastructure that is able to respond to the individual needs of young people interested in the game of Soccer. This competition is proving instrumental towards identifying and nurturing the talent for the game of soccer. Youngsters should make use of this opportunity to build their future in the game of soccer."


The Final Indian 16 for the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival

Lalruat Puia (New Delhi), Zotham Mawia (Chandigarh), Jamborki Lokai (Shillong), Mani Maran (Bangalore), Nim Dorjee Tamang (New Delhi), Gur Simrat Singh (Chandigarh), Santosh Kumar (Bangalore), Khusen Mangar (Gangtok), Jamshed M.P. (Kozhikode), Sushil Maithie (Shillong), Bibek Bhutia (Gangtok), Abhiraj Vikram Singh (New Delhi), Anuj Yadav (Chandigarh), Tshering Zangpo Tamang (Gangtok), Chester Paul Lyngdoh (Shillong), Niranjan Sardar (Bhubaneswar)