Airtel Rising Star Season Two Launched

By M. Shamil Amit

Airtel after its successful completion of the Airtel Rising Star last year launched the Airtel Rising Star (ARS) Season Two soccer scouting program at the Cinanmon Grand Hotel in Colombo last week.

The launching ceremony was graced by Suren Goonewardena CEO and MD Bharti Airtel Lanka, Gary Pallister legendary Manchester United soccer star and chief guest Wasantha Senanayake MP.

The ARS event will give an opportunity for 12 young Sri Lankan soccer players a chance to undergo training at the Manchester Soccer School in Old Trafford England and also most probably a chance to pursue a career in professional football.

The talent search program which is scheduled to be kicked off at the end of July which will be conducted for the next three months. It will involve over 10,000 players around the island from the age group of 14-19.

Suren Goonewardena speaking on the occasion said that the ARS programme is all about giving an opportunity to 12 talented young football players a chance of a lifetime to achieve their dreams.

We were really delighted with the success of the inaugural program last year and we are more than delighted to launch the second season which is due to be kicked off very soon.

Suren further added that the unique format of ARS program will ensure that every player gets an equal opportunity to showcase their talent within the three months.

Stage one will involve an all island talent scouting across 14 centers Jaffna, Colombo, Mannar, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Badulla, Kurunegala, Hatton, Kandy, Kalutara, Matara, Negombo and Kalmunai.

Stage two will see it being short listed to 48 players who will assemble in Colombo where Manchester United Academy Coaches will conduct an intensive football camp.

These players will then be divided into four teams of 12 players in each where they will be tested in all aspects which includes physical attributes, individual skills, match situations and the performances in actual matches.

The final stage will involve three selection trials that will culminate in a final where the final 12 football players will be selected as the top 12 Sri Lankan Airtel Rising Stars who will make the tour for one week training at the Manchester United Academy.

Gary Pallister briefing the media and the officials in attendance emphasized that he was surprised to see that there is a large base of Manchester United followers in Sri Lanka.

Gary further added that at the inaugural program last year we were also surprised with the abundant talent that Sri Lanka posses. The youngsters here in Sri Lanka are talented and have the potential of becoming top football players in the future.

We have conducted similar programes earlier in India, Bangladesh and South Africa successfully. This program will no doubt give aspirant youngsters a great opportunity to improve their skills and to learn how to play professional football and who knows I would be able see a Sri Lankan playing in the top league in England in the future.

Airtel will be joined by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka and Tharunyata Hetak to support this unique program end with success.