Airtel launches edition of its soccer talent search series in Kenya

The male and female tournament is a move by the telecommunications company intended to nurture football talents in the country.

Airtel issued a cheque of KSh9.5 million to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), the country’s sports organisation that schedules inter-school sporting events, during the launch. The money will be used for KSSSA’s national Term B finals.
While presenting the cheque, Airtel Kenya Corporate Communication director Dick Omondi said, Airtel is proud to associate itself with nurturing of sports talents in this nation.

“This the second year for Airtel Rising Stars programme, an amazing venture to empower the community through the passion for soccer and the ability to earn a living through sports,” he said.
The talent search competition will start at all provinces during Kenya schools’ term two ball games.

KSSSA Secretary General, David Ngugi thanked Airtel for the continuous support in developing talents in the nation at a tender age and especially in using schools as venues for scouting for budding talents.
At the same time, Ministry of Education acting Education Secretary Enos Oyaya challenged the national soccer management to come up with structures that will ensure Kenya’s promising talents are not wasted.
“Instead of wrangles let the Football of Kenya Federation leaders come up with ways that will improve the soccer in the nation rather than politics,’’ he said.
The Rising Star talent search gives participants in Africa an opportunity to train with Manchester United’s training group.

Last year’s was the first talent search in Kenya. Top talents including Naim Ashraf (Milimani High School) , Naomi Njeri (Matuu Memorial) , Naomi Njeri, Emily Auma (Jera Secondary) and Ali Rama (Tononoka Secondary School), represented Kenya in Tanzania, where they received training courtesy of Manchester United soccer school training experts. The 2012 edition will be held in Nairobi in August.