Date:26/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112660652000.htm

Sport - Football

Tata Tea Soccer Stars to start at Kozhikode

Mumbai: Baichung Bhuita and Steven Dias, India’s star football players, said Tata Tea’s ‘Jaago Re (awaken) Soccer Stars’ initiative and its association with Arsenal for under-15 would benefit Indian football in the long run.

“I am the president of the Football Players Association (FPA) and Dias and I are here to associate with the Tata Tea sponsored tournament for schools in India. The objective of the FPA is to promote football and look after the welfare of the players. Tata’s initiative provides a great opportunity for the young football players in India to show their talent,” said Bhutia at the inauguration the second Soccer Stars competition that will start with a two-day tournament (Nov. 26 and 27) at Kozhikode.

At the conclusion of the talent-hunting process, 16 players will earn a trip to the United Kingdom to take part in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival in July 2009.

Last August, the Tata Tea Arsenal Soccer Stars beat Marks Park, South Africa, to win the Plate Cup of the AISF. — Special Correspondent