Jaago Re Soccer Stars 2012: Switch from Arsenal to Inter Milan!

Tata Global Beverages Limited, the world's second largest tea company, has announced a new European football club partner for their grassroot football campaign 'TATA TEA Jaago Re Soccer Stars'. In the fifth edition of the school competition Italian giants Internazionale Milan will replace English Premier League side FC Arsenal.

The fifth edition is set to kick-off in December 2011 with the Tata Tea Jaago Re Inter Milan Soccer Stars initiative covering 15 cities across the length and breadth of the country with participants from over 1,000 schools. This initiative was started in 2007, with an aim to identify and nurture grassroot level football talent in India and put them on a global platform.

Announcing the fifth season, Sanjiv Sarin, Regional President - South Asia, Tata Global Beverages, said, "Since inception TATA TEA Soccer Stars has grown many folds and gone onto become the country's most comprehensive football development program at the grassroot level. This year the TATA Tea Soccer Stars program is adding a new dimension and experience with the historic tie-up with FC Internazionale Milan, one of the world's most successful football clubs. This tie-up not only brings with it the club's massive history and tradition but also gives the children a new and exciting opportunity to learn from one of the most successful football systems in the world."

Commenting on the initiative Internazionale Milan CEO Ernesto Paolillo said, "It is an honour for us to partner with Tata Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars to further the development of Indian football at youth level. Our aim is to train these high caliber and passionate footballers, and help them make a mark in this global sport. I am sure this initiative will engage a diverse youth and awaken the true soccer spirit of the country."

This edition will be held across 15 cities and it is expected to attract upto 15,000 respondents from over 1,000 schools. The overwhelming response in the past has encouraged Tata Tea to move into deeper pockets of the country.

The key highlights of this season are

- It is an all-India football tournament played across four zones and 15 cities for school students aged between 10 and 15 years
- The winning team of each zone will qualify for the finals at Shillong
- 15 teams compete in the national final to decide the All India Champion Team
- 30 of the most talented children get selected for further coaching by Internazionale Milan and Indian coaches
- The final 16 will represent India at a youth friendly tournament in Milan, Italy