Atlético Madrid Signs Agreement with Kazakhstan to Open a Soccer Academy, DKnews.kz reports.
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The Atlético Madrid football club has officially signed an agreement to open a soccer academy in Kazakhstan. The academy will be located in Talgar, near Almaty, with its opening scheduled for the fall of 2025. This project aims to provide strategic support and introduce advanced soccer training methods, with a commitment for at least the next ten years.
The Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony took place on Thursday with the participation of Atlético Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Spain Danat Mussayev, and representatives of the Kazakh partners, Doscar Group and Sport Asset Management. These two Kazakh companies will play key roles in the project's implementation in Kazakhstan.
The initiative to create the academy arose in response to growing interest among Kazakh private companies and the increasing demand for high-quality soccer education. According to Ambassador Mussayev, the project began almost a year ago and has since seen significant development.
Goals and Objectives of the Academy
As representatives of Atlético Madrid stated, one of the main goals is to create a soccer academy in Talgar that will be modeled after the training center currently operating in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). The Spanish complex features a natural grass stadium, five artificial turf soccer fields, and other sports and training facilities that can serve more than 1,000 children at a time.
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The Kazakh academy will be built following a similar principle and is expected to become an important hub not only for Kazakhstan but for the entire Central Asia region. According to Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Spain, Danat Mussayev, the project is highly ambitious and is expected to create a long-term training center for young soccer talents.
Support from Atlético Madrid
An important aspect of the partnership will be providing full methodological and technical support from the Spanish club. Ambassador Mussayev emphasized that Atlético Madrid will ensure strategic support, including the introduction of advanced soccer training technologies and methods.
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Emilio Gutiérrez, Director of Atlético Madrid Academy, noted that the signing of the agreement is part of the club’s global strategy to expand its presence in other countries and regions. He mentioned that Kazakhstan will be an ideal platform for training young soccer players, not only from within the country but also from neighboring nations in Central Asia.
Visit by the Club's President and Kazakhstan’s Support
The soccer academy project has garnered interest at the highest levels. In June 2024, Atlético Madrid President Enrique Cerezo visited Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, to meet with the country’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the meeting, details of the project were discussed, including the creation of the soccer academy at the Akbulak Olympic Center in Talgar.
According to President Tokayev, approximately 40,000 children in Kazakhstan are enrolled in soccer schools, and improving the infrastructure for their training is a high priority for the country. The government plans to actively develop soccer programs, build new stadiums, and upgrade existing sports facilities to provide the best conditions for children to play sports.
Future Plans
The new soccer center in Talgar will become a significant contribution to the development of soccer in Kazakhstan and help elevate it to a new level. The Atlético Madrid Academy will focus on training young talent, providing them with access to advanced training methods and skills. In addition to sports goals, the project has long-term ambitions—not only to nurture players for Kazakh and international clubs but also to foster a sporting culture within the country.
"SPORT ASSET MANAGEMENT"
Experts believe that the academy will become a powerful center for soccer education in Central Asia, contributing to the development of sports and strengthening international cooperation. The agreement also stipulates that the academy will operate for at least ten years, highlighting the project's long-term importance and commitment.
Thus, the agreement between Atlético Madrid and Kazakhstan promises to be a milestone in the history of soccer development in the country and the region, opening new opportunities for young athletes and giving them access to world-class training standards.
