The Director-General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji has explained that the sports regulatory body is in full support of the Airtel Rising Stars, an initiative of Airtel Nigeria, because of its emphasis on developing talent from the grassroots.

According to him, the goal of the Rising Stars initiative is in tandem with the National Sports Commission’s plan to develop grass root sports in Nigeria.  “We believe that there is so much to gain when one storms and explores the grass root levels. Most of the big football names that this country has produced were first identified at the grass root level. So, now is the time to begin the search to build a future of stars that will conquer the world in the football domain”, the former Nigerian international stated.

Airtel Rising Stars is a pan-African soccer platform that seeks to identify and develop talent from the ground up among males and females under 17 years of age. It will feature in eight locations across the country to enable many aspiring future stars participate.

Ekeji was particularly happy about the inclusion of a women’s competition as part of the Airtel Rising Stars. He remarked, ’I am sure you will agree with me that if we do not start identifying, developing and nurturing the right talents for our future Falcons, (as Airtel has started) it will be extremely difficult to win a trophy in the Women’s World Cup.’

At the launch in Lagos, many sports authorities also signified support for the initiative. They include the President of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, (YSFON), Alhaji Babatunde Ojulari, President of Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), Umar Ibrahim, and Secretary General of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Alhaji Laheem Saheed Olusegun. Collectively, they gave the assurance that their presence at the media launch was a clear endorsement of the Airtel’s initiative, the first of its kind to target boys and girls and give them equal opportunities.  President of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, (YSFON), Alhaji Babatunde Ojulari, said, ‘the football authorities present were appreciative of Airtel for the positive attempt it has made to upgrade sports for the teenagers.” He appreciated Airtel for starting from the young ones instead of  inviting foreign based Nigerian players, adding, once Airtel is through with the competition, the federal sports authorities can lay hands on the participants for further training.’

The launch of the Airtel Rising Star, is no doubt a declaration and opening of opportunities for talented young boys and girls with passion for the game to become stars in football beyond just dreaming. Over 1000 people trooped to the gymnasium of the National Institute for Sports for the launch of the initiative, and to declare their support and approval of the programme from Nigeria’s leading telecommunication company, Airtel.

Many other important stakeholders also graced the occasion, including the representatives of the sports, football and education authorities, the media, and nearly 500 high school students of Lagos State. To underscore the importance of the programme, one of Nigeria’s highly celebrated football stars,  Nwankwo Kanu and pop musical star and Airtel brand ambassador, Tuface Idibia, came in from their different locations to participate and endorse the programme.  Airtel Nigeria, used the opportunity to unveil Kanu Nwankwo as Airtel Rising Star’s partner. Speaking later after the unveiling, Kanu Nwankwo encouraged the young students to work hard to utilize the opportunity given them to develop their talents and become one of the Rising Stars that will be chosen from across Nigeria and furthermore Africa.

Airtel Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Deepak Srivastava, underlined that this football talent hunt will provide a structured platform for scouts, coaches, football authorities to tap into a vast pool of upcoming talent, a program that would feed the systems for our leagues and national teams.

Fifteen of Airtel’s markets in Africa are taking part in the “Rising Stars” program.  Relevant ministries and institutions who oversee the sport in these countries as well as the local football associations will cooperate with Airtel in order to ensure that all boys and girls, under the age of 17, who are passionate about football will have the chance to test their abilities in the sport. Registration forms will be available from Airtel offices across the country at a time to be announced, Mr. Srivastava said.