Portugal’s FC Porto has signed a partnership agreement with Sialkot Football Academy, under which FC Porto’s first Dragon Force Academy will be established in Pakistan.
Under the partnership, Pakistani young players will be provided with modern and comprehensive training, while FC Porto will assist in the training of Pakistani players, coaches and managers.
Pakistani youngsters will be introduced to world-class football methodologies at the academy.
The aim of the partnership is to provide Pakistani youngsters with opportunities to advance in international sports.
FC Porto’s Dragon Force academies are already established in 10 countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Türkiye, Mozambique and India.
It is pertinent to note that the partnership agreement between FC Porto and Sialkot Football Academy was signed with the support of the Pakistani embassy.
Pakistan has shifted from one national sporting obsession to another before. Hockey once our identity and pride before cricket took over. Now cricket itself is losing some of its old glamour, both on local and international fronts, and football offers a natural entry. The country is abundant in raw talent. What is missing is structure.
Without coaches, leagues, facilities, academies, publicity and institutional backing, that talent dies before it can grow.
This is high time to support and promote the sport fully, seriously and nationally. A country of 250 million people has no excuse for remaining missing in the arena of football on international front.
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