Paris Saint-Germain sets up in Senegal
Paris Saint-Germain is opening a new academy in Senegal this summer. Located at the Complexe Sportif Bruno Metsu in Nguerring, western Senegal, it is one of the finest sporting facilities in the country. Just an hour’s drive from the capital, Dakar, the academy boasts a full-sized pitch, an artificial 7-a-side pitch, and accommodation for 50 people.
The academy will run year-round programmes for players in all age groups between U-7s and U-19s. At a later stage it will also operate an elite programme for 50 young players from all over Africa, who will stay at the academy and continue with their school studies as they train.
Heading up the new academy will be Alioune Babylas N'Diaye. Both he and his coaching staff – made up of Senegalese and French coaches trained by the club – will be aiming to offer high-quality training in a professional environment, all with the goal of helping their young charges maximise their potential.
Ravy Truchot, the project founder and CEO of Paris Football LLC, said: “A lot of Senegalese dignitaries are backing the project and have got involved. The support we’ve had from the Sports Minister, Matar Ba, and the head of the national football association, Augustin Senghor, has been invaluable. I would also like to offer my thanks to Vivianne and Herve Renard. In opening the doors of their sports complex to us, they have enabled us to offer our players an ideal playing environment.”
Fabien Allègre, Director of Brand Diversification, Paris Saint-Germain, added: “We would like to thank all of our local partners for welcoming us with open arms. We are delighted to be writing this new chapter of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Africa, which is a milestone in our continuing international development. We are also proud to have Blaise Matuidi as our sponsor. A World Cup winner and a Paris Saint-Germain legend, he has been heavily involved in the project.”
The Paris Saint-Germain Academy Senegal will hold trials on 29-30 May and will launch its annual programme in August.