"Airtel Rising Stars" is a talent hunt that will see 12 footballers from India picked to train alongside the Manchester United Academy team.
Airtel Rising Stars, an under-16 soccer talent hunt, got off to a vibrant start on day one, with over 300 young participants presenting themselves at the city's Gymkhana Grounds to display their skills.
The sports talent hunt is overseen by officially certified and renowned coaches. Players were shortlisted for the final auditions based on a skill-set that includes technical and tactical skill, physical and mental strength, social skills, behavior, communication, discipline, enthusiasm and fair play.
Launched in association with soccer giant Manchester United and spread over 3 months, the talent hunt will be conducted in 16 Indian cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Panaji, Kolkata, Bangalore, Calicut, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Shillong, Pune, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad and Jaipur) with the support of the respective state and district football associations.
12 footballers will be chosen to attend a week-long training camp at Manchester United Soccer Schools, and this is how the selection process plays out. The best three players from each of the 16 cities will be picked to attend a final 6-day camp-cum-selection trial conducted by coaches from Manchester United. These 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 train alongside the Manchester United Academy team.