The worldwide launch in the UAE of La Liga’s first ever football academy can help the nation’s youngsters follow Qatar’s Akram Afif into Europe’s top leagues, according to the governing body’s general director MENA and head of International Sports Projects, Fernando Sanz.
This September will see La Liga Academy begin training approximately 1,000 children from Under-6s to U-18s in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. A team of UEFA pro-certified coaches will deliver the same top-class football development training which has allowed Spain to produce many of the world’s finest players.
Youngsters enrolled will also have the opportunity to be scouted by local and international teams, as well as attain full football scholarships at leading universities in the United States and Europe.
No Emirati has landed a permanent deal in football’s major leagues, unlike forward Afif who is currently on loan at Sporting Gijon from Villarreal. Ex-Real Madrid and Malaga centre-back Sanz believes La Liga’s continuing work since opening their first office outside of Spain four years ago is geared toward changing all of this.
“This is a first and big step, a Qatari playing in La Liga,” said the 43-year-old. “[Afif] has improved a lot in this season and learned a lot about European and Spanish football.
“This is the first big step for this region. All the youth here can be the same as the Qatari player.
“This academy, our High Performance Centre [in Dubai], our project with du [du Football Champions]… These are all successful programs.”
La Liga Academy will be open to both boys and girls. Training will be conducted throughout the year, with parents given flexibility for the number of days they commit to.
Ball possession, short passing and teamwork are just some of the areas which will be worked on.
Abu Dhabi’s British School Al Khubairat plus Dubai’s Safa Community School, Emirates English Speaking School and GEMS Nations Academy are the initial locations. Winter and summer camps will also be put on.
Prices range from Dh2,130-8,450 depending on age group and number of sessions signed up for.
La Liga have previously inked deals with Al Ahli and Pro League Committee – the Arabian Gulf League’s organising body – to negligible effect. Sanz insisted his organisation remained open to providing help.
He said: “We have an agreement with them, but they have not activated.
“We are here and if they want to activate our agreement, we are very happy.
“This is the same with Pro League Committee and Abu Dhabi Sports Council. With Abu Dhabi, we activate a lot of workshops and conferences.”
Inspiratus sports marketing firm have teamed up with La Liga to help activate their UAE projects. CEO Hussein Murad believed the academy has transformative potential.
He said: “As you can see, through La Liga Academy we are giving the youth of the UAE so many options to change their lives.
“This is through professional football or through scholarships to leading universities.”
