LALIGA and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in South Africa, have partnered on a unique football development programme which will uplift the skills of hundreds of young boys and girls footballers in the province.
The year-long plan will for the first time see two LaLiga Camps organised in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, for 100 boys and girls aged from under 10 to under 18, as well as 50 of the province’s amateur and professional coaches.
LaLiga has reserved the right to open another 50 spots to ensure players from different disadvantaged backgrounds are given the opportunity to participate in the world-class coaching camps.
As has been the case at LaLiga Camps held in Johannesburg and Cape Town, LaLiga will bring top UEFA Pro Licenced coaches from Spain to KwaZulu-Natal to conduct the Camp and will provide kit and technical equipment for the coaches and players, who will all receive a coveted LaLiga Diploma upon completion of the Camps.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will supply the facilities needed for the Camps, supply five local coaches to work with the LaLiga coaches and most importantly identify the deserving and talented kids and coaches that will participate in the LaLiga Camps. The programme will also promote social cohesion and convey LaLiga’s positive values to society through football.
In keeping with LaLiga’s objectives to not only develop quality footballers, but responsible individuals, LaLiga executives will conduct a series of inspirational ‘LaLiga Talks’ about values, education, and personal growth as experienced through the stories of LaLiga Legends.
To grow the love for LaLiga in the province, LaLiga will also host two watch parties in KwaZulu-Natal to bring communities together to enjoy high-quality LaLiga top-flight football. Further to its commitment to tangibly supporting African football development, LaLiga will also conduct a series of administrative and coaching webinars, led by LaLiga clubs and officials, on various topics pertaining to football development and the administration of the game.
“This is a ground-breaking partnership for LaLiga with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, in one of South Africa’s most passionate football and sports regions. This agreement allows LaLiga to extend its support for football development even further across the country, as we look to reach every corner of the country with LaLiga’s football and educational philosophy. We cannot wait to get started with this programme in the Zulu Kingdom and would like to thank the Department of Sports, Art and Culture for their belief and confidence in LaLiga in partnering with us in supporting the growth and development of football in the region,” said LaLiga Southern Africa Managing Director, Marcos Pelegrin.
Acting Deputy Director General in the KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Dr Thobile Sifunda, who was speaking on behalf of MEC Amanda Bani-Mapena, said the partnership with LaLiga will help to position football to make a contribution to the economy.
“Football is not only a sport but a universal driver of the economy. It is therefore important to partner with brands with a global footprint like LaLiga to learn from best practices from a flourishing league. Furthermore, we are all aware of the developmental initiatives contributing towards LaLiga being able to produce the world’s leading footballers. We would like our boys and girls to aspire to play in the top leagues of the world,” she said.
