Doha: Real Madrid Foundation is likely to set up a football academy in Qatar beginning next year, officials of the Spanish club disclosed here yesterday. A formal announcement is expected to be made on the day of the exhibition match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germaine (PSG), which will played in Qatar on January 2, officials of Real Madrid said during a press conference.
“Officials of QSports (Qatar Sports Management Company) are in talks with Real Madrid Foundation regarding plans of setting up a High Performance Football Academy in Qatar. The plans of the exciting new initiative are likely to be announced during the Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germaine match in Qatar,” said Francisco Baptista, General Coordinator for Real Madrid Foundation Camps and Academies for the GCC region.
Baptista said Real Madrid Foundation seeks to develop football in Qatar the way Spanish clubs do it and hoped that the training programmes of the club will have a positive impact on the football scence in Qatar.
He also pointed out that 17 coaches hailing from the Iberian region are managers of the top clubs in Europe.
For Real Madrid Foundation the Qatar academy as and when it begins will be the second in the GCC countries.
“We already have one academy in Abu Dhabi. We have 80 branches around the world and had conducted camps in other countries in the Gulf region,” said Baptista. “The reason why we selected Qatar to set up this Academy is that Qatar is an important country in sport field and will host the 2022 World Cup,” he added. For a start, the world famous football club will host their one-week long Real Madrid Foundation Football Camp in Qatar from December 19 to 23 at the Al Gharafa Stadium. QSports Chairman Ghanim Al Mohannadi said he was delighted to work with the world famous brand.
“We have 140 children who have signed up for the pioneering Real Madrid Football Camp scheduled for December. There are still a few spaces available if parents do wish to sign their children up to participate,” Al Mohannadi said.
“The camp is specifically arranged and structured for children, aged between 5 and 17, to experience the magic of the ‘Madridista’ football lifestyle and coaching,” he said.
“The unique program developed by Real Madrid Foundation offers participants a comprehensive and structured sports training program and the opportunity to be coached and trained in methods used by the world’s best football players. The program will be delivered in world class facilities ensuring a healthy and safe environment for young soccer enthusiasts in Qatar,” he added.
More information about registration and the Real Madrid Foundation Camp in Qatar can be be found at the QSports website www.qsportsleagues.com and at Real Madrid Foundation website www.frmqatar.com or by calling 4464 -2512.
The Peninsula
