RWANDA FOOTBALL Federation, Ferwafa, has commended African mobile network operator Airtel and Arsenal Football Club for the Airtel Rising Star initiative.

The Ferwafa chief, Célestin Ntagungira said that the initiative is good starting point in developing potential Rwandan footballers for the future as well as the country’s football in general.

"Thanks to this invaluable partnership between Airtel and Arsenal, the Airtel Rising Star [ARS] is an exciting grassroots football initiative that will offer young boys and girls in Rwanda the opportunity to play football, compete and showcase their talent to football scouts” Ntagungira added.

"It is good for the youngsters who will be selected for the best-in-class sports training during a residential clinic to be held in Nigeria,” he noted.

Airtel and Arsenal signed a three-year partnership agreement for rising stars in Africa and the initiative was launched in Rwanda at the start of this week.

The deal provides Airtel with the opportunity to utilise the club’s products, hospitality and content rights in five countries; Rwanda Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana and Uganda.

The National Tournament which will attract 64 teams will commence on June 1 with the winner traveling to Nigeria to battle it out with 16 other finalists.