AC Milan Teams Up With Ball Beast Academy To Inaugurate New Football Academy In Dubai

AC Milan has announced the opening of a new AC Milan International Academy in Dubai, in collaboration with Ball Beast Academy. This local startup supports the development of projects promoting sports activities and empowerment for young footballers. The presentation event for the new centre of excellence was hosted by the Dubai Sports Council.

The Dubai Sports Council is responsible for the development of the sports sector in the Emirate through programs and activities designed to create awareness, nurture talent, and support creativity. Announcing and detailing the new long-term project in the region was an AC Milan delegation led by CEO Giorgio Furlani.

Alongside Furlani were Chief Commercial Officer Maikel Oettle, Regional Director Greta Nardeschi, and AC Milan Legend Serginho. They were accompanied by Hassan Alameddine, General Manager of Ball Beast Academy LCC. The creation of a new Academy in Dubai represents an important milestone in the Club's global expansion strategy.

This initiative is guided by RedBird Capital Partners and demonstrates AC Milan's focus and commitment to a key territory. This commitment was confirmed by the opening of Casa Milan Dubai, the new Rossoneri headquarters in the Middle East, last November, and previously by the partnership with Expo 2020.

Already present in the area with the longest-running Academy, inaugurated 15 years ago in Kuwait and hosting over 5,000 boys and girls since then, AC Milan aims to leverage its expertise and experience. The goal is to contribute to a healthy sports culture that reflects the principles of the Milan Method.

The Middle East & Africa region is passionate about the Rossoneri colours. In this region, AC Milan is the most supported Italian club and ranks in the top 10 worldwide, with approximately 2.5 million fans in the United Arab Emirates alone. AC Milan also relies on significant partnerships with Emirates, SIRO, and CFI Financial Group.

CFI Financial Group is AC Milan's Global Partner and will be among the key players in this new venture. They will appear on the back-of-shirt of all young footballers at the new Academy, thus accompanying them in their personal and sporting growth.

Statements from Key Figures

Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, stated, "The inauguration of a new Academy in Dubai is further testimony to our Club's ambition and desire to strengthen our ties with the Middle East. We aim to share the Milan Model and invest in young talent development both on and off the field."

AC Milan International Academy in Dubai is part of a network of over 100 Rossoneri Academies in Italy and internationally. In the 2023/24 season, these programs were led by approximately 2,500 AC Milan coaches and educators, involving over 20,000 boys and girls across three different continents.

With inputs from WAM