Tanzania: ‘Airtel Rising Star’ Tournament Kicks Off On Tuesday

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

18 July 2011

THE search for under -17 ‘Airtel Rising Star’ tournament meant to identify talented football players who will be enrolled in a special Manchester United programme, kicks off on Monday with preliminary matches in four regions.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Monday during the draws and presentation of sports gear to competing teams, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Acting General Secretary, Sunday Kayuni said six aspiring stars will be selected during the finals next month.

He said the competition will involve 24 schools from Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Iringa and Arusha, which will be an ideal platform for upcoming soccer talent under the age of 17 to showcase their skills to leading scouts, coaches and will have an opportunity to further their football skills.

Kayuni praised Airtel Tanzania for partnering with football in Tanzania adding that TFF will give maximum cooperation and support to ensure this project becomes a success story. The programme was launched last month by Manchester United legend and reputed prolific striker, Andrew Cole.

All regional matches are scheduled to be completed this month when each participating region will produce its team champions ready for the cutthroat 2011 Airtel Rising Stars national finals to be held in Dar es Salaam in September.

Airtel Tanzania Public Relations Manager, Jackson Mbando said the cellular phone company was proud to join hands with one of the leading football clubs in the world– Manchester United to support youth football programme in Tanzania and in Africa in general.

“We believe that our combined forces with Manchester United and TFF will facilitate football development in Tanzania. We have confidence in the youth that, given chance and support, they are able to excel in football,” said Mbando and commended the ministry responsible for sports in Tanzania and TFF for embracing their initiative to promote football in the country.

The Airtel Rising Stars finals will be followed by an international coaching clinic for English speaking countries to be held in Tanzania under the tutelage of Manchester United Coaching Staff. Tanzania will enter six outstanding players in this clinic that will be determined during the finals.

The competing schools are Makongo, Twiga, Mpigi Sekondari and Goba (Kinondoni who will utilize the Makongo Secondary grounds, Azania, Kinyerezi , Msongola and Airwing (Ilala) will be competing at Air wing grounds while, Temeke, Kibugumo, Mbande and Jitegemee (Temeke) will be hosted at Twalipo grounds.

Other teams are Kihonda, Sua, Mwembesongo and Moro (Morogoro), Mwanza, Taqwa, Busweru and Nsumba (Mwanza) while those from Iringa are Tagamenda, Lugalo, Mlamke and Mawelewele .

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