The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Majuto Omary
18 July 2011
Dar es Salaam — Untapped talents will be on display for over a month during the inaugural Manchester United-Airtel Rising Stars soccer tournament kicking off today in four regions across the country.
Twenty-four secondary schools from four regions are expected to battle it out for top honours during the event of its own kind. Airtel Tanzania public relations manager Jackson Mbando said yesterday that preparations and logistics for the tournament were in place.
He named teams lined up for the tournament as Makongo, Twiga, Mpigimagohe and Goba from Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam.
Others are: Jitegemee, Mbande, Kibungilo and Temeke all from Temeke District, while those from Ilala District are Azania, Kinyelezi, Ntongola and Misitu.
Also in the list are: Kihonda, Sua, Mwembesongo and Morogoro all from Morogoro, while teams from Iringa Region are: Lugalo Mlamke, Mawelewele and Tegamenge.Taqwa, Mkumba and Mwanza all from Mwanza will also compete in the tournament, according to Mbando.
Mbando said the four regions will each select 20 best players that will travel to Dar es Salaam for the finals.The finals set for later this year will determine six players who will join other talented youngsters from other African countries for a training tour of England.
“During their stay in London, they will undergo a training stint to be supervised by Manchester United’s technical bench led by the Red Devils manager, Alex Ferguson,” Mbando said.
“We are proud to be part of the project because it is one of the best ways to scout around the country’s soccer fortunes,” he added. Mbando said five out of those who will make the trip to London for the training stint would join Manchester United’s sports academy.
He voiced optimism that Tanzanian youngsters will be among those who would impress Ferguson and his assistants and get enrolled into the sports academy of one of the most decorated teams in the world.
The Manchester United-Airtel project was launched by former United star Andy Cole during his stay in the country early this month.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Tanzania: Talent-Search Tourney Kicks Off