The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) signed an MoU with Real Madrid Foundation to establish and manage 10 non-profit football academies in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Uzbekistan, with aims to train and nurture 4,500 young aspiring players aged 6-17 years old over three years.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and Secretary General of MBRGI, attended the MoU signing with Emilio Butragueno, International Affairs Director at Real Madrid Club, and Inigo Arenillas, Africa and Middle East Area Manager at Real Madrid Foundation.
Universal sport
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, said, “We are pleased to cooperate with Real Madrid Foundation. Sport is a universal language that Arab youth are capable of mastering once trained and empowered.”
He added, “Sport is an effective tool to foster the culture of hope in our young generation. We aim to empower and nurture young aspiring football players in different areas to become the stars that represent their countries to the world. Our message to youth is that nothing is impossible with the willpower to bring about positive change.”
4,500 young aspiring players in three years
As part of the MoU, Real Madrid Foundation will manage 10 football academies across the four countries in two phases with aims to train and graduate 4,500 young players in three years.
In the first phase that begins on January 2020, MBRGI will launch five academies, in collaboration with Real Madrid Foundation, in the cities of Tangier and Ben Guerir in Morocco, Alexandria in Egypt, and Fuheis in Jordan alongside a joint project between Al Baqa’a and Irbid refugee camps. The second phase involves establishing two academies in Egypt, two in Uzbekistan, and one in the Jordanian-Emirati Mrajeeb Al Fhood Refugee Camp, which is overseen by the Emirates Red Crescent.
Sara Al Nuaimi, Director of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Office said: the collaboration to establish 10 non=academies with Real Madrid Foundation meets MBRGI’s goals to bring about positive change in the Arab world through developing strategic partnerships with global organizations to implement effective programmes that foster a culture of hope. MBRGI’s efforts reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to turn challenges into opportunities to create a better future for Arab youth and equip them with necessary knowledge and training.
“Rising Arab football stars who got the chance to join international teams have proven themselves to be great ambassadors for our region. Through our partnership with Real Madrid Foundation, we strive to institutionalize this successful experience and provide opportunities for young talents in a systematic approach to become inspiring figures for their peers across different fields.”
She added, “Nurturing successful models will drive youth to work hard and sincerely for a better future for their countries.”
Emilio Butragueno, International Affairs Director at Real Madrid Club, said, “through collaborating with MBRGI, Real Madrid Foundation seeks to effectively implement its social role and achieve its humanitarian and cultural objectives.”
He added, “both entities share common objectives to harness the core values of sports, particularly football, in serving communities. Sports are effective educational tools capable of making a difference and developing nations.”
Empowering communities
The MoU is part of MBRGI’s efforts to equip youth with necessary tools and resources to build on their potential and, in turn, advance the future of their countries and communities.
Under its pillar of Empowering Communities, the MBRGI’s core mission is guiding communities through the challenges that impede progress and development, making a positive impact on people’s lives and instilling a culture of hope.
In 2018, MBRGI spent AED126 million on various initiatives, projects and programmes under the Empowering Communities pillar that benefitted and empowered 3.2 million people.