Airtel has launched, Airtel Rising Stars, a new under-16 soccer talent hunt that would choose 12 talented footballers who will get the chance-to attend a week long training camp with Manchester United in Old Trafford, England. Starting mid-July 2012, this 3-months long talent hunt will be conducted in 16 cities (including Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chandigarh and Jaipur) with the support of the respective State Football Associations.
This 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 3 players from each city will then be picked to attend a final 6-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 different parameters 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.