As part of the agreement, Aspire Academy will send coaches, talent scouts and analysts to Delhi, India, to help develop existing talent and promote best practice in training, development and scouting for the club’s teams and different youth development programmes, including the already well-established Delhi Dynamos FC Soccer Schools, Development Centre and Residential Academy. The long-term partnership will start immediately with Aspire coaches expected to arrive in Delhi shortly.
Eligible youth will be allowed to take part in the Aspire Residential Programme, which gives young players the chance to train and learn at the world-renowned Aspire Academy. The initiative will give young footballers the exposure to international leading coaches and the opportunity to train at the same facilities as top international football clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, accelerating their development and that of Indian football.
Commenting on the signing of the partnership, Aspire Academy director general Ivan Bravo said, “The Indian Super League is one of the most dynamic and exciting new leagues in the world and we’re thrilled to be entering into this agreement with one of the country’s most successful clubs. Today’s announcement marks an important milestone for Delhi Dynamos FC and Aspire Academy. Our organisations share many of the same values and ambitions, and together we will lay the first foundations of what we hope will become a long-standing partnership in football development between Qatar and India.”
Bravo added: “We’re confident Aspire Academy can help Indian football develop the vast talent available in the country and aid the growth of a competitive league that makes an impact on a global stage.”
Delhi Dynamos owner Dr Anil Sharma added: “India and Qatar are two countries with close ties and it is only natural that there is a partnership between two organisations based in their respective capital cities. I am happy and excited to see Delhi Dynamos FC partner with a prestigious organisation in order to help grow football not only in Delhi, but in Northern India as well. The Indian Super League has great potential and Aspire Academy’s involvement will help to cement Delhi Dynamos FC’s reputation as one of the most exciting clubs in Indian football. Both organisations have lofty expectations and we will work hard to provide global opportunities for young Indian players and make football the number one sport in Northern India. “
Since its inaugural season in 2013, the ISL and Delhi Dynamos in particular have attracted some of the biggest names in world football, including Alessandro Del Piero, who was the global league ambassador, Florent Malouda, Roberto Carlos and John Arne Riise, to name a few.
Aspire Academy’s agreement with DDFC is the first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent for the academy and follows a global network the academy has developed with other leading clubs including KAS Eupen (Belgium), Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (Spain) and Independiente del Valle (Ecuador).
