Kanoute's new academy seeks trialists

Barnaby Read 18:04 31/08/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • New chapter: Frederic Kanoute is focusing on his charity and academy after hanging his boots up as a player.

    Young footballers in the UAE will this week be given the opportunity to be put through their paces by former Lyon, Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla forward Frederic Kanoute.

    Kanoute finished his playing career at the end of last season following a 12-month stint with Beijing Guaon in China and is now focused on his charity, which aims to tackle poverty in Africa through jobs and opportunities, and Kanoute Football Academy (KAFO).

    The 36-year-old has picked Dubai as his academy’s first base due to its diversity and the city’s desire for development and growth.

    “The multi-culturalism of Dubai [attracted us as a venue for the academy],” Kanoute told Sport360.

    “Dubai is a city that is always expanding and interesting in all aspects of football development and for sport in general.

    “It is great to see the energy of Dubai and we are really thrilled [by the response]. We didn’t expect to see so many kids turn up to the summer camp and they have been enjoying the camp so much. For the summer camp we had an average of thirty kids every day."

    Kanoute launched KAFO in Dubai last month and has been encouraged by how the UAE’s young footballers have taken to his philosophies.

    “[The standard of football] has been very good. The most important thing is we do not differentiate the good and bad players.

    “The good thing is we can see that when they started two months ago and the way they play now is a big change. So, even those who had never played football before they have [improved].

    “Some of them are already very gifted so we tried to bring a little more technical aspect and understanding of the game and there has been big improvement.”

    Dubai World Trade Centre’s Sports World has played host to KAFO but it is the academy’s permanent home in Al Barsha that will see the action intensify. The new Nord Anglia school will be KAFO’s permanent home following the first round of trials this weekend.

    This weekend’s trials will begin on Friday, 5th with Under 6, 8 and 16 age groups kicking things off from 9am-11am, before the Under 10s, 12s and 14s two hour sessions from 5pm. On Saturday, the times are reversed for the set of groups.              

    The Academy will then begin from the week commencing 14th September and will offer a variety of 10-week programmes for each age group.

    Players wishing to attend the trials should contact [email protected] and for more information on programme schedules and pricing, visit the official website; www.kafoacademy.com

    Recommended