BFC Soccer Schools, Indian Super League (ISL) team Bengaluru FC’s Grassroots Development Programme, announced a strategic partnership with H16 Sports Academy, based in Ajman, UAE. The collaboration is designed to foster a culture of technical involvement in grassroots football across the region, ultimately enhancing Bengaluru FC’s wide array of talent, while handing expertise in youth development in the UAE.
The partnership will include a range of initiatives, such as friendly matches between teams from both countries, comprehensive Coach Education Programmes, and dedicated scouting efforts aimed at identifying and nurturing emerging talent.
“We’re incredibly excited by the prospect of expanding our horizons at BFC Soccer Schools through our first ever international partnership. This collaboration with H16 Sports Academy is a milestone in many ways, and the goal is to lend our knowledge in football coaching and youth development to see how wide our talent pool can become, and I am sure that a lot of young footballers in UAE will benefit from the technical expertise of our coaches and their curriculum. Long term, the vision is to give these children a fair chance of making it as professional footballers with the right guidance. On behalf of the club, I want to welcome H16 Sports Academy to our family,” said Darren Caldeira, Bengaluru FC’s Director of Football.
Both organisations will work closely to implement programs that emphasise technical skill development and competitive play. Players from both academies will have the chance to engage in friendly matches, allowing them to gain valuable experience and showcase their abilities on an international stage.
“We are excited to announce this partnership with Bengaluru FC Soccer Schools, a collaboration that strengthens our mission to revolutionise football development in the UAE. This partnership not only focuses on technical excellence but also brings on board an Indo-Arab cultural exchange, aligning the best of both footballing worlds,” said Hassan Ali Ibrahim Al Balooshi, Chairman of H16 Sports Academy.
“BFC is the first and only football club in India to have its Youth Academy conferred to the two–star status by The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under the AFC Elite Youth Scheme. BFC Soccer Schools, present in eight cities in India with over 35 centres spread across the country, currently has more than 5000 children as part of its various partner programmes and centres, and employs over 35 licensed youth coaches. Together, we aim to nurture young talent, offering them pathways to compete at the highest levels of the game. Football is a powerful connector, and through this initiative, we look forward to empowering the next generation of footballers on the global stage,” he added.
