Saudi football to be given Spanish edge
LONDON: The General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian Football federation (SAFF) have signed up with La Liga in a bid to push football in the Kingdom to the next level.
An academy partnership has been agreed which will allow the SAFF to create and develop local football academies in the Kingdom under the brand, technical supervision, and expertise of the world famous Spanish league. The hope is that young Saudi players will have access to the best football training methods, allowing them to attain all the skills they need to make it at the very top. It also aims to work with football coaches across the country to develop coaching skills and tactics over the coming years.
Not only has an academy partnership been agreed, but the country will now also benefit from a talent scouting initiative for young footballers — a move which will see the brightest stars plying their trade in the same country as global stars Lionel Messi (pictured) and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Coming on the back of Saudi Arabia’s qualification for next year’s World Cup, Dr. Adel M. Ezzat, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said the timing of the agreement could not have been better.
“This agreement will enable some of the scouts and head coaches in La Liga to come to Saudi and watch the best of the best which, for the national team players, is great news,” he said.
“All the support we are getting in the football sector is very important, the sector is huge and we are always looking to do our best in preparation for the World Cup.
“These agreements will help us be with the vision of Saudi Arabia, it is the number one sport in the country, and this can help making the nation one of the best in football in the world.”