Airtel Rising Stars
The first round of selections for the 2013 edition of the Airtel Rising Stars kicked off early August at the Duraiappa Stadium in Jaffna,
Posing for a team picture just before a selection match
followed by selections in Mannar, Anuradhapura and Trincomalee. Several talented young football players gathered at the Municipal grounds in Mannar while the selections for Anuradhapura and Trincomalee were held at the Prison grounds and Ehambaram grounds respectively.
Four Asian Football Confederation ‘A’-licensed coaches, appointed by the Sri Lankan football federation, judged the players’ performances through a series of skill tests and in-game assessments. The match scenarios were tailor made to determine their physical and mental strength, competence in their respective positions and technical acumen. After a rigorous day of tryouts, 12 gifted players from the four districts were selected for the second round, which will be held in Colombo in late September, bringing them closer to their dream of training at the football academy of the legendary Manchester United.
-Jaffna: A. Antony Jenat, R. Kovilan and Allffred Thanesh
Action during selections
-Mannar: A. Anakinitras, A. Juliyan Tikirado and S. Sahayaraja Roche
-Anuradhapura: T. Wenukaran, S. P. Dilshan Tharinda and R. M. Priyadarshana
-Trincomalee: J. M. Faszeel, U. Iham and S. M. Wasith
The 2013 Airtel Rising Stars initiative is the continuation of the rigorous scouting programme conducted island-wide to discover young football talent and pave the way for 12 talented footballers to attend a week-long training camp with Manchester United in Old Trafford, England.
The programme will be held in three rounds by the end of which the top 12 players will be chosen.. Stage 1 will involve an all-island talent search across 14 centers (Jaffna, Colombo, Mannar, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Badulla, Kurunegala, Hatton, Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Kalutara, Matara, Negombo and Kalmunai). Stage 2 will see the applicants narrowed down to 48 players who will assemble in Colombo, where Manchester United Academy coaches will host an intensive football camp. The final stage will involve three selection trials culminating in a final where 12 players will be chosen as the Top 12 Sri Lankan Airtel Rising Stars who will be sent to train at the Manchester United Football Academy in England.
 Anthony Janet, R. Kovilan & Allffred Thanesh of Jaffna |
 Awaiting the opportunity to show their talent |
 Exhibiting their talents |
 The finalists from Mannar who were selected for stage 2 A. Anakinitras, A. Juliyan Tikirado and S |
 Young enthusiasts waiting to show their talent |
 Young football players in action |
 Young girls exhibiting their football talent |
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