Calcutta: A talent-scouting programme - Star Sports Young Heroes - was launched in the city on Thursday. Over 650 schools will participate in this seven-a-side under-15 tournament that will be held in 15 cities across the country.

Following the city-based competition and national grand finale, 45 youngsters will undergo training in a camp from which 16 will be selected for an international exposure trip to Spain. There is a tie-up with the Spanish football federation regarding the same.

On their return from Spain, the organisers will look to get the youngsters into I-League clubs or academies. The event aims to be a two-fold programme where both the tournament and a scouting programme will undergo simultaneously with Jamshed Nassiri as the head mentor. He will also lead the scouting team.

The tournament will kick-off with the Calcutta leg on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Howrah Stadium, where around 64 teams will take part. The other cities where the event will be held are Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Margao, Indore, Pune, Mumbai, Shillong, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh and New Delhi.