The world’s fourth-largest telecommunications group Bharti Airtel, and leading consumer technology company Samsung Electronics, Friday announced a partnership to support Airtel Rising Stars (ARS), Africa’s largest under 17 grassroots tournament.
In an official statement, Airtel disclosed a sponsorship agreement with Manchester United and Arsenal FC, which will see the Premiership sides “grow emerging soccer talents in Africa through their globally recognisable brand assets, and to raise youth related commercial activity.”
The Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) initiative involves over 18,000 teams with more than 400,000 young boys and girls across Africa.
The initiative recorded a growth of about 65 percent in 2012 and is planned to grow even bigger.
The pan African tournament has yielded many success stories.
Priscilla Okyere, the current captain of Ghana’s Under-17 National Girls’ team, was discovered during an ARS tournament.
She led her team to clinch the bronze medal at the 2012 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.
Also, a good number of the ARS alumni have been absorbed into Africa Premier League Clubs, as well as their country’s national team.A novelty has been added to the 2013 edition: Airtel and Samsung are poised to launch a mobile football app contest for Samsung on Android. The month-long competition is to encourage techies to submit their apps where a panel of judges will pick the 2 best apps, for commercialization.
George Ferreira, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Samsung Electronics, Africa said: “Africa is the world’s youngest continent. The proportion of youth in the region is higher than on any other continent.
According to World Bank estimates, 60 percent of Africa’s population of more than 1 billion people are youth. And it keeps growing rapidly. The number of young people in Africa is forecast to double by 2045. Our youth have the potential to be a great impetus for Africa’s development, provided that an appropriate investment in human capital is made.
“Under the multi-million dollar agreement, Samsung will become the official device partner of the ARS tournament,” Airtel said.
Airtel is the 4th largest telecommunications company in the world, with a presence in 17 countries across Africa.
