THE Airtel-Arsenal soccer clinic got underway yesterday at Kicukiro grounds.

The clinic is part of Airtel-Africa Championship aimed at searching for the upcoming best players on the continent.

Twenty six kids from five countries kicked off the week-long clinic under the tutelage of two coaches from Arsenal Academy School, Rupen Shah and Nathan Asare.

Rwanda is represented by Djihadi Nzeyarwanda, Rashid Bigiraneza, Jack Ntwali and Patrick Ndikumana.

"We need to work with Airtel on the development of football in Rwanda because football is not just sports but it can change a player’s life. We shall continue working hard on grassroots football,” said the Rwanda Football Federation president Vincent Degaule Nzamwita at the official launch.

A total of 26 youngsters; 16 boys and 10 girls will be trained in the ‘Arsenal way of playing football’. All players are under 17 years of age.

The countries include; hosts Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia, the defending champions of last year’s Airtel Rising Stars a tournament.

Airtel Rising Stars initiative is the biggest Under-17 grassroots tournament on the African continent aimed at identifying talent and nurturing upcoming footballers.

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend and former England captain, Tony Adams will visit Rwanda this week on the invitation of Airtel Rwanda.