Airtel Rising Star III launched

Airtel Ghana has launched the third edition of its football talent hunt dubbed “Airtel Rising Stars” – an initiative aimed at discovering juvenile players at the grass root.

The event which would commence on May 31, in Sunyani, would be played on zonal basis with Zone One comprising the three northern regions, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Region, whilst Eastern, Volta, Greater Accra and Western Region make up Zone Two slated for Tarkoradi on June 2.

The finals of the event, would be held from July 11-14, in Accra with winners in both male and female categories competing in the continental event in Nigeria later this year.

Philip Sowah, Managing Director of Airtel Ghana, said his outfit was committed to the development of grass root football in Ghana hence the commitment of funds to the organisation of the competition.

Participants are required to satisfy a basic requirements of being in school.

“For us, sports and education are bedfellows and we believe they can serve as instruments of nation building. We hope to raise more Sammy Kuffours, Nii Lampteys and Tony Adams in the near future.”

Tony Adams, former captain of Arsenal Football club in England, described  the programme as a brilliant initiative which falls in line with the youth policy of the English giants.

He commended the organizers, for rallying behind the sport that has changed the lives of many positively including himself.

“The Arsenal-Airtel partnership is a step in the right direction. I want to commend Airtel for supporting sports and for that matter football because it is rare to see corporate bodies support football the way they are doing.

“Airtel stand the chance of benefiting from Arsenal’s rich youth football legacy.” Adams said.

Source: GNA