Real Madrid, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, is set to establish a football academy in Bahrain, as revealed by Adel Al Safar, chairman of the Al Safar Group. The group has signed an agreement with the Spanish club to bring Real Madrid academy coaches to the Kingdom. The academy will initially focus on partnerships with private schools, inviting them to participate in Real Madrid academy sporting activities.
According to Al Safar, the group will appoint Spanish coaching staff to manage the academy, with plans to recruit Bahraini personnel for future leadership roles. The primary focus of the academy will be on the social and sporting development of Bahraini children and youth, preparing them for success in the field. With Real Madrid’s global presence and expertise in training young players, the Bahrain academy’s training programmes aim to provide elite opportunities for aspiring athletes.
The Al Safar Group is planning to construct a dedicated stadium for the Real Madrid academy, potentially in Muharraq, Riffa, or Manama. In the meantime, the academy will utilize existing facilities at Bahraini sports clubs and school sports facilities to train their staff and integrate them into the academy’s activities. The launch of the academy is imminent, with the selection of Spanish academy management and coaching staff expected to be finalized soon.
The academy programme is set to commence in December or January, with plans to invite prominent figures from the world of football, potentially arranging visits from Real Madrid representatives to Bahrain. Al Safar also hinted at the possibility of bringing FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy to Bahrain in the future and organizing visits from Barcelona players, specifically mentioning Lionel Messi. The investment in establishing a football academy in Bahrain is expected to bring about a range of benefits, including social, sporting, cultural, and financial returns for the Kingdom.
