Roger Hampel
AC Milan has marked a significant step in its international expansion strategy by inaugurating a new International Academy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This move, in collaboration with the local startup Ball Beast Academy LCC, aims to foster youth talent and promote sports culture in a key strategic region.
The presentation event was hosted by the Dubai Sports Council, which is instrumental in the development of the sports sector in the Emirate through programs and activities designed to raise awareness, cultivate talent, and stimulate creativity. The event was attended by a distinguished AC Milan delegation led by CEO Giorgino Furlani, alongside Chief Commercial Officer Maikel Oettle, Regional Director Greta Nardeschi, and Milan Legend Serginho. They were joined by Hassan Alameddine, General Manager of Ball Beast Academy LCC.
This new academy in Dubai is a continuation of AC Milan's long-term global strategy, driven by RedBird Capital Partners. The inauguration comes after the opening of Casa Milan Dubai last November, which serves as the club's headquarters in the Middle East. This region has already seen the establishment of a longstanding academy in Kuwait 15 years ago, which has hosted over 5,000 young players.
AC Milan's widespread appeal in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is notable, with the club being the most supported Italian team in the area, featuring among the top 10 global clubs, with approximately 2.5 million fans in the UAE alone. The club also boasts significant partnerships with Emirates, SIRO, and specifically with CFI Financial Group, a global partner prominently involved in this new venture.
Maikel Oettle, AC Milan's CCO, highlighted the strategic importance of the Middle East. "The launch of our new Academy in Dubai is a testament to our ambition and commitment to strengthen our ties with the Middle East, a region passionate about our colors and with millions of supporters. Our goal is to share the Milan Model and invest in the development of young talent, on and off the field, aiming to make a tangible impact on the local communities we operate in and further develop our international presence," Oettle said.
Hisham Mansour, co-founder and CEO of CFI, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with AC Milan for the launch of the academy. "Partnering with AC Milan to launch their Club Academy in Dubai is an exhilarating opportunity that extends our role globally as the Official Online Trading Partner. Having our headquarters in Dubai makes this initiative particularly special for us at CFI. We look forward to contributing to the community through this project and are confident it will foster the emergence of local talent."
Hassan Alameddine, General Manager at Ball Beast Academy, also shared his excitement about the academy's potential impact. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Milan Academy in Dubai, a key step in our mission to nurture and elevate football talents in the UAE. Our academy is committed to instilling values of teamwork, discipline, and fair play, which are essential for personal and athletic growth."
The AC Milan International Academy in Dubai is part of an extensive network of over 100 Milan academies worldwide, engaging around 20,000 young players across three different continents during the 2023/24 sports season.
Source: AC Milan Media
Comments