Kumasi, Aug. 3, GNA - Global telecommunications giant, Vodafone Ghana has launched an initiative to hunt and develop young football talents in the country.

Dubbed "National Scouting", the goal is being pursued jointly with the 'Right to Dream' Academy, a sports academy at Akosombo in the Eastern Region.

As part of the talent hunt, 16 selected juvenile teams have for the past three days been engaged in an intensive pre-selection competition at the Wesco Park in Kumasi.

The players who make the mark would be trained at the Academy for five years under Vodafone's sponsorship.

Mr Isaac Cudjoe, Head of Corporate Communication, Vodafone said the competition would be extended to all the other regions in the country.

He said the exercise forms part of the company's contribution towards the development of juvenile football in Ghana.

Mr Cudjoe said there should not be any doubt that the programme would help to change the lives of many in the society and to make them develop into national stars.

He said it was an opportunity for children with football talents to fully exploit their skills and live their dream.

Madam Anna Hegley, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Academy, said apart from football, those selected would also receive academic training.

At the end of the five years, they would be assigned to professional football clubs, both foreign and local, he added.

Goalkeeper Richard Kingson of the Black Stars and C. K. Akunnor, a former Captain of the Stars gave some encouraging remarks to the footballers and urged them to take their training serious.