Roger Hampel
Real Betis Balompié has marked another significant milestone in its international expansion by opening the Real Betis Academy Tabuk, its first academy in Saudi Arabia. This move not only amplifies the club's presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region but also highlights its strategic intent to tap into the burgeoning football market in the Arab world.
The inauguration of Real Betis Academy Tabuk is part of a broader vision that sees the Seville-based club extending its global reach. With the academy positioned in Tabuk, an emerging area of Saudi Arabia soon to be home to the futuristic city project, The Line, Real Betis is setting itself at the crossroads of innovation and football development. This strategic location is poised to offer the club a unique advantage in fostering football talent and furthering its international brand presence, particularly in the Arab market.
Real Betis's expansion into the MENA region is not a new venture; the club already operates six permanent academies across Iraq (Baghdad, Dohuk, Mosul), Jordan, Algeria, and Kuwait, with successful campuses held in Egypt and Dubai. The launch of the Tabuk academy underscores Real Betis's commitment to nurturing football talent and sharing its esteemed footballing methodology with young enthusiasts in the region.
The academy's opening is a testament to the growing interest in Real Betis within the Arab world, a fact that prompted the club to introduce social media channels in Arabic last season. By doing so, Real Betis has effectively bridged the cultural and linguistic gaps, further endearing itself to the Arab football community.
Real Betis Academy Tabuk is set to operate for the next three seasons, offering unparalleled football development opportunities to local players. With 100 players already enrolled, the academy welcomes footballers aged 6 to 21, providing them with training under the highest standards of global youth football. The curriculum, imparted by prestigious local coaches trained by Real Betis's own coaching staff, is rooted in the club's proven methodology, aiming to cultivate future talents who wish to enhance their football careers within the Real Betis ecosystem.
The Real Betis Academy initiative is a cornerstone of the club's national and international football development strategy. Aimed at spreading the Real Betis methodology worldwide, the academy program seeks to enrich the football experience for boys and girls, offering them high-level training experiences. With over 3,000 footballers participating across 32 international projects, including locations like the United States, Mexico, Egypt, Algeria, Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Venezuela, and Georgia, Real Betis Academy has established itself as a global beacon for youth football development.
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