The du Football Champions’ 2016/17 season came to a close this weekend with its grand final at Dubai Mall. Carles Puyol, the former Barcelona captain and guest of honour on Saturday, spoke to John McAuley about the initiative.
The concept explained
The du Football Champions (duFC) is an international scouting platform in the Middle East, created last year and run in partnership with LaLiga, the governing body for Spain’s Primera Liga. Open to children aged 11-18, its aim is to develop UAE-based footballers to become professionals. It uses certified La Liga coaches and includes input from Michel Salgado, the former Spain and Real Madrid defender. The du LaLiga High Performance Centre is based at The Sevens in Dubai.
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The next step
In all, 116 players have been selected from across the UAE. That will be whittled down next Saturday to 52, with a selection of the boys U16s and U18s chosen for a 21-day training camp in Spain from July 30. During the camp, they will play friendlies against Primera Liga clubs, with each to be attended by scouts from the Spanish top flight. Last year, Ahmed El Yamani, a 15-year-old Lebanese midfielder living in Dubai, was picked up by Malaga after excelling at the camp.
On the du FC project
“What a great opportunity this is for these kids, because I never had that opportunity myself,” said Puyol, winner of the 2008 European Championship and 2010 Fifa World Cup with Spain. “It’s an amazing thing for them to have. These kids will have the chance at a later stage to go even further, to grow and perhaps to play in the biggest leagues. This is such an opportunity. I’ve seen nice talent so far – players here who have real quality.”
On players potentially playing in Europe
“Why not?” Puyol said. “I hope they can. It’s very, very tough, because every kid in the world wants to play for Barcelona, for Real Madrid, for Manchester United. But at least they have the chance with this project and if they really train and are consistent in what they do, they definitely have a chance to make it to a top club.”
On his advice to those potential stars
“Take advantage,” Puyol said. “Take advantage of this because it’s really a huge opportunity for them, opening the door to potentially a professional career, to be able to get there. So, I’d say for them not to take it for granted. It’s something really exceptional put in place for them to hopefully be able to make it.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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