Manama : His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), inaugurated the Abdullah bin Khalid Football Academy. The academy is a collaborative initiative between the GSA, the Bahrain Football Association (BFA), and FIFA.
The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, ministers, officials, and members of the BFA Board of Directors, alongside international attendees, including renowned French coach Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development.
His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad said the Abdullah bin Khalid Football Academy reflects Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to elevate football standards and develop local talent to compete at the international level. He noted that the academy will play a key role in supporting young players and building a strong foundation for the future of the sport in the Kingdom.
His Highness said that investing in talent is key to the future of sports, and the academy marks a significant step in enhancing Bahrain’s football infrastructure, opening new pathways for national players to reach international standards.
His Highness highlighted that the academy will provide a comprehensive sports environment to enhance players’ abilities across all levels. His Highness expressed appreciation for the efforts of all those involved in the academy and extended his wishes for their success in achieving desired objectives.
His Highness commended the efforts of FIFA’s training and development department, led by renowned coach Arsène Wenger, in supporting initiatives aimed at developing football worldwide. Bahrain was selected among 25 countries to implement FIFA’s new talent discovery programme, which is a testament to the Kingdom’s growing role in international football development.
