Dubai is quickly becoming a powerhouse in the world of football, with the nation now boasting over ten international academy setups for some of the leading teams in Europe. The idea behind the move is to scout out new talent in the region to ensure that clubs in Europe don’t miss out on some of the brightest talents in the Middle East.
In June, AC Milan became the latest team to open an academy in the region, joining Manchester City and Real Madrid in the process. It is no coincidence that in the Middle East, European clubs have a huge number of fans, as well as fans of betting on their matches in both domestic and international competitions. But not always a lot of fans are equal to a lot of football schools. So why are more clubs opening doors to academies in Dubai?
Italian giants AC Milan became the latest club to join the elite by setting up an academy in Dubai earlier this year. The AC Milan International Academy is the latest step by the club in its plans to invest in young talent looking to make their breakthrough in the game. The deal is a partnership with the Ball Beast Academy, which is a local business in Dubai that was established to promote sporting activities and empower young and aspiring football players.
The Dubai Sports Council was represented at the official opening for the event, as they continue to play an important role in the development of the sports sector in the region. This is yet another programme that has been set up to nurture talent in the world of football by creatively a environment that is tailored to support creativity.
The development of the academy in Dubai is an important step in Milan’s expansion strategy, which has been masterminded by RedBird Capital Partners. The focus is on dominating key territories around the world, with the official announcement for the academy plans confirmed at their new headquarters in the Middle East called the Casa Milan Dubai.
Milan’s steps into the Middle East are nothing new, as the club already has a stranglehold on the region after the development of the longest-running boys academy in the region in Kuwait. This setup was first opened 15 years ago, and it has helped develop and progress the academies of over 5,000 boys and girls. The expertise that the club has bully during the running of this Kuwait setup will put them in a strong position to achieve further success in the Middle East in Dubai.
Milan are the latest team to set up a base in the Middle East, with ten other clubs already having academies set up in the region of Dubai. Cross-city rivals Inter Milan were among the first to open the doors to the region, while fellow Serie A heavyweights Juventus also have a set up in the region.
It is a marketing plan that has been adopted by some of the biggest teams in the world already, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona also setting their sights on breaking through the market in Dubai. Ajax and Manchester City also have setups in the region, with the latter having closer links to Dubai than most other teams given the ownership at the club.
The decision of clubs ton set up headquarters in the Middle East only strengthens the position of Dubai as one of the leading investment destinations in the world of sports. This is especially the case when it comes to football, with the region playing host to friendlies between some of the biggest clubs during the summer months. So, even in the pre-season period, Middle East fans of football betting can find interesting games to make odds. With the expanding presence of top football clubs in Dubai, there is an expansion of top online casinos and bookmakers, too, you can find in special online Arabic-language gambling platforms. Such top club academies are also popular spots for players to be sent in order to continue their rehabs from injuries due to the hot climates throughout the calendar year.
The latest decision to move to Dubai by AC Milan is yet another step toward securing Dubai’s status as the premier location for football teams in the world. The region’s status has seen it become the hub of infrastructure for the top footballing teams in the world, and its strong business links also enable clubs to grow on a global scale.
There are also huge benefits for the clubs to open hubs in Dubai, with the reach being one of the most important. Having headquarters in the region will entice a growing number of footballing fans and betting and online casino platforms to follow the respective clubs that are based in the region, while it also gives teams a first look at some of the emerging talents in the nation.
