Telecommunications outfit, Glo Mobile Ghana on Wednesday launched the Glo Soccer Academy, a television reality show designed to discover and train young footballers in West Africa.

The concept is to provide a opportunity for young talented footballers to kick start their professional football career will see to the scouting of young talented footballers between the ages of 14 and 17 in Ghana, Benin and Nigeria

Tunde Kaitell, Advertising Manager of Globacom at the launch of the initiative on Wednesday said 33 participants will be selected into the well-equipped soccer academy in Lagos, Nigeria, where 16 finalists will emerge as the last men to win attractive prizes including cash, scholarships and also a training tour with the Manchester United Soccer Schools in England.

“Glo Soccer Academy is conceptualized not just to cover young talent but also teach and groom youngsters to become world-class footballers who can compete with their contemporaries the world over.

“Sponsorship of the Glo Soccer Academy is in line with Globacom’s commitment as a socially responsible indigenous company to constantly develop and promote the game of football in Africa.”

Whilst in the academy in Lagos, the selected players will be handled by experienced coaches and ex-footballers including Nigerian duo, Victor Ikpeba and Tijani Babaginda and Anthony Baffoe of Ghana.

According to Kaitell, the overall winner will pocket 60,000 Ghana Cedis whilst the remaining 15 will each go home with 10,000 Ghana Cedis plus a scholarship package worth 9,375 Ghana Cedis.

To be eligible for selection, interested footballers must send a text to Glo short code “3836” at a cost of 30 Ghana Cedis indicating their venue for screening, thus Accra, Kumasi or Tamale.

Each of the screening centres will see five players being picked whilst Benin and Nigeria will have five and 25 players respectively taking the tally to 45.

The number will be reduced to 33 for the soccer academy in Lagos where the prospect will emerge.