Telecom company Vodafone India has partnered with Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) for an initiative to provide platform to identify and cultivate young talent across the state.
'Vodafone GFDC Rising Stars Football Festival 2013' is first of its kind grassroots level programme aimed at promoting the popular sport among children in the State.
The festival is a six-month long football tournament exclusively for kids up to the age of 12 years, said Ishmeet Singh, Business Head (Maharashtra and Goa), Vodafone, today.
It will provide an excellent platform to identify and cultivate young local football talent across Goa, he said.
"This initiative further strengthens Vodafone's commitment to nurture and promote the sport in Goa."
The festival will kicks off on September 1 and end in February 2014. The football league will showcase over 600 matches, featuring more than 650 young players across half a dozen centres in Goa.
The inter-centre league championship will feature 24 teams from four categories. Vodafone had partnered with GFDC last year to set up a facility in Valpoi village near here with the objective of imparting professional training and grooming upcoming football talent in the coastal State.
"As a value-based organisation, Vodafone believes in making a meaningful contribution to society. Today, almost every household and family in Goa has young and aspiring children who are seeking the right opportunity and platform to harness their talent," Singh added.
