Dubai kicks off new ‘Football Center’ to notch raw Emirati talent to world-stage

In a bid to power football and talent development in the region, Dubai has launched its brand new sports facility The Football Center at Sports City, as a world-class destination for the sport’s lovers and home to groundbreaking entertainment programs.

The Football Center DSC will be the home of LaLiga Academy and LaLiga HPC, recognised as the gold standard in football training and development, offering young players superior training. LaLiga HPC has become the nation’s top youth team for three years’ running, the region’s best football development program, and a scouting ground for local and international clubs and national teams.

In recognition of its stellar track record, the LaLiga HPC has also been established as a club, participating in UAE 2nd Division League with its first team and youth teams.

The club nurtures the development of Emirati top players and coaches, hand-in-hand with with the Dubai Sports Council.

Speaking at the press conference, HE Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council said: “I am delighted to be here today to witness the launch of a new world-class football complex, which will enhance Dubai and UAE’s reputation as a global hub of sporting excellence. I look forward to working together to take the UAE’s professional football development to the next level and elevate the level of football in the nation, in the lead up to the World Cup 2022.”

As part of the launch, a number of new local and international programs were announced, to be hosted at The Football Center DSC:

LaLiga has announced the launch of a one-of-a-kind LaLiga U14 International Cup which will take place in the Spring of 2021 at the Center. The tournament will see LaLiga’s top youth clubs compete against their counterparts from across the globe including Dubai’s local club teams, regional teams from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others, as well as international teams from Japan, Korea and other countries.

Fernando Sanz, President, LaLiga Foundation and Director of International Institutional Relations, LaLiga, who joined the press conference through video link said: “Through LaLiga Academy and LaLiga HPC, now at their new home at The Football Center DSC, we are bringing LaLiga’s football expertise to take athletes to their highest potential and build the next generation of football greats.”

Commenting on the launch, Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City, said: “I am very proud to launch The Football Center at Dubai Sports City today. The Football Center reflects Dubai Sports City’s vision to create a comprehensive and integrated sporting community, offering the region’s best facilities for local and international events and programs.”

And in a first for the region, The Football Center DSC will become the home of Footlab, the world’s first indoor football performance and entertainment park, with Dubai as its only non-European location. Footlab will bring a whole new experience for all football enthusiasts in Dubai, with next-generation skill measurement and immersive activations and entertainment options for all ages.

The Center also intends to bring state-of-the-art sports sciences with preventative, strengthening and recovery systems for athletes including athlete assessment and nutrition programs at the Eupepsia Wellness and Sports Science Clinic which will open its doors in December 2020.

The announcement has football fans of all ages in a frenzy, with the dawn of a whole host of exciting football experiences. Alongside the academies, programs and events, football enthusiasts can play on the high quality indoor and outdoor football pitches, which are available for year-round match or tournament rentals.

[Sourced from Agencies]