By David Gold
February 20 – Spanish giants Real Madrid have signed an agreement with the Iraqi Sports Ministry to create four football academies in the Kurdistan province.
Madrid will be opening the academies in the cities of Irbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk, adding to the 62 they already have worldwide, and they will bring over experts to help with training the youngsters.
“We have concluded the agreement and I want to assure you that during the next few months we will return back to Kurdistan to [put] things into action,” explained Real Madrid representative Miguel Mutton at a press conference.
“I want to emphasise that these academies are very important to us.
“It is important for both sides to enhance self-confidence of those players who would join the academy as well as educate them, because it is the project’s first priority”
Though the primary aim is to develop top football talents, the academies will give youngsters an all rounded education
The academies will open next June in the centre of the cities, with 100 youngsters being accepted into each.
As one of the world’s biggest clubs, the presence of Madrid in Kurdistan is a major boost to the region, which has historically been plagued by conflict.
The Kurds have fought a long, yet as yet unfruitful battle for independence from Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria, the four nations in which they are mostly scattered.
“Sports infrastructure doesn’t only comprise tall buildings and stadiums but it also includes training athletes,” said Kurdistan’s Regional Government Minister Kawa Mahmud (pictured above with Mutton).
“This is really a very important project.
“I am sure it will have great impact on improving soccer in our region and will be a good start for training young footballers academically.”
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