Airtel Rising Stars: More than 3000 kids to participate in Delhi trials

The Airtel Rising Stars programme, a nationwide under-16 soccer talent hunt will kick off with a bang in Delhi on July 14, with more than 3000 talented footballers registering for the four-day auditions to be held at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium & DPS RK Puram.

The Airtel Rising Stars, an initiative by Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, in association with Manchester United is a rigorous scouting programme that will cover 16 cities across India and choose 12 talented footballers, who will get the chance-of-a-lifetime to attend a week long training camp with Manchester United in Old Trafford, England.

While in excess of 2,500 players registered online for the selection trials through www.facebook.come/airtelsoccer, 40 schools are expected to send in their best teams of 12 players each through the District Football Association.

The boys who turn up for the auditions will be put through the paces under the guidance of five coaches-cum-selectors, who will then pick 120 of the most talented players to advance to the next phase. These players will be selected according to criteria based on the aspects mentioned in the Manchester United Scouting Guidelines. These aspects will dwell on the technical and tactical skills, the physical and mental strengths, the social skills, besides focusing on attitude, behaviour, communication, discipline, enthusiasm and fairplay.

The shortlisted 120 players will be informed of their status as well as the venue and timing of the second phase of selections on completion of the two-day auditions. The best three players will be picked from the 120, who will then join their counterparts from the other 15 centres to participate in the six-day final selection trials, scheduled for September 2012. The 120 shortlisted players will also receive Manchester United certificates, signed by Sir Alex Fergusson.

The Airtel Rising Stars talent hunt will be conducted across 16 cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Bangalore, Calicut, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi, Shillong, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow and Jaipur - with the support of the respective State and District Football Associations.

The unique format of 'Airtel Rising Stars' program will ensure that every player gets an equal opportunity to showcase his skills and playing acumen through a series of selection criteria, overseen by renowned and officially certified coaches in each centre. The best three players from each city will then be picked to attend a final six-day camp-cum-selection trials by coaches from Manchester United. The 48 players 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 12 of the best players are chosen to travel to Manchester United for a week and to train alongside the Manchester United Academy team.

The on-ground execution of 'Airtel Rising Stars' has been entrusted to Procam International.

In 2009, Bharti Airtel had announced its tie-up with Manchester United to bring a variety of benefits for Airtel's football loving customers in India. As part of this association, Airtel customers across India have been enjoying exclusive access to Manchester United football content as well as money-can’t-buy match experiences. The ARS programme is an extension of this long term association between brand Airtel and Manchester United.