Airtel Rising Stars - Jaipur: Digvijay, Ishan & Shubham the winners!

Digvijay Singh from St.Anselm's, Mansrovar; Ishan Rozario from St. Xavier's School and Shubham Sharma from St.Anselm's, Ajmer were adjudge as the three 'Airtel Rising Stars' at the Jaipur talent hunt that concluded at the city’s St. Xavier’s School Football Ground. The players were selected on criteria based on the aspects mentioned in the Manchester United Scouting Guidelines.

Gajraj Singh of Mayoor Chopasni School, Jodhpur was selected among all the goalkeepers. Gajraj will join four other goalkeepers from Delhi, Chandigarh and Lucknow for the next level trials for goalkeepers.

The experienced and watchful eyes of the coaches judged the players on their performance, taking into consideration their physical and mental strengths, expertise in position, and technical acumen. Based on their expertise in the city camp Digvijay Singh, Ishan Rozario and Shubham Sharma were selected. The three footballers from Rajasthan will join players from 15 other centres to participate in the six-day final selection trial, scheduled to take place in Bangalore this September.

Airtel CEO Sudipto Chowdhury congratulated the chosen boys from Jaipur and said, "With the expertise of Procam International, Airtel Rising Stars offers talented young players across India a phenomenal chance to participate and enjoy football in a structured and well run format. It was incredible to see hundreds of young aspirants playing their best game and we were pleased to find these three exceptionally talented players in Jaipur."

"Our best wishes are with these players and all others selected from across the country and hope they go on to achieve their ultimate dreams."

The 120 footballers who were shortlisted on Day one but failed to make it to the camp will get another opportunity to make their 'Airtel Rising Stars' dream come true next season. They will also receive Manchester United certificates, signed by none other than Sir Alex Fergusson.

Launched in association with Manchester United, 'Airtel Rising Stars' is a rigorous scouting program that will cover 16 cities across India and will choose 12 talented footballers who get the chance-of-a-lifetime to attend a week long training camp with Manchester United in Old Trafford, England.

The three best players from Jaipur will join 45 other players, who will be divided into four teams of 12 each and will be tested on all parameters (including physical attributes, individual skills, match situations and their performances in actual matches) before the 12 best players are chosen to travel to Manchester United for a week and to train alongside the Manchester United Academy team.