To encourage an aptitude and love for English language amongst children and also to inculcate an appetite for reading that seems to be really missing in mouse-age children who are addicted to videogames, the South Zone Spelling Bee Metro Championship is being organised by Apt Eventz on the lines of its international version.

According to a release, the competition aims to touch the lives of over 20,000 young minds with participation of over 1,500 schools across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Students from Standard V to VIII are eligible to participate.

It is the First Spelling Bee Competition in South India with a prize money worth up to Rs one lakh, states the release. The "Spelling Olympiad 2007" (Can you spell better than a kid?) contest will also be held for the first time in India, for professionals/ parents.

The Apt Club has been set up to help children build a solid foundation for their education and careers by providing a mutually supportive and positive learning environment.

Since South Zone Spelling Bee Metro Championship, is around the corner, students may contribute English words to the club which will be published in the Apt Eventz website. Points will be awarded on each selected word and the top scorer will be the Chief Captian for the mega finals.

He/she will be given an opportunity to be quiz master for a brief period. For more information log on to www.apteventz.com or call: (080)41608970/ 99800-86670.

The School elimination rounds will be held on July 16 and 17, across the four states in their respective schools. City finals will be on July 28.

The top three survivors of each City final move on to the mega finals to be held on August 4 in Bangalore (morning session for students; evening session for professionals, parents and survivors of SBMC), the release adds.