du La Liga High Performance Centre Starts Training Season with Top Talents from across the UAE

du LaLiga High Performance Centre (HPC), LaLiga’s first High Performance Center outside of Spain, established in partnership with du,  kicked off its inaugural training season today at the Dubai Sevens, its new home in the UAE.  

The du LaLiga HPC , led by  UEFA pro-certified coaches from LaLiga, is the official training ground for selected national, regional and international players scouted through the du Football Champions (duFC) platform during the 2015-16 season. 

The du LaLiga HPC senior coaching team will be led by head coach Rafael Gil who was the first team coach of Malaga CF, Assistant Head Coach Enrique Fernandez and Performance Coach Sergio Dominguez who have moved to Dubai to conduct the training program.

Commenting on the initiative Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer at du said, “As the enablers of the future leaders of tomorrow, we are looking forward to the continuation of our unique football journey in the UAE. As the training at the du LaLiga HPC today, I would like to wish all participants the best of luck. We would like to remind all youth across the nation that that all it takes is a vision and perseverance to achieve your dreams. We are thrilled with the success of duFC last season, and we look forward to the talent that the second season will bring to the forefront.” 

The du LaLiga HPC’s home in Dubai at the Dubai Sevens has been especially equipped to welcome the top scouted talents from the du Football Champions initiative with branded grounds and designated du LaLiga HPC changing rooms as well as coaches and visiting teams rooms as well as physiotherapy and recovery. 

Training at the du LaLiga HPC will be conducted four days a week and will include a combination of high sports performance, drills to increase endurance, improve reaction speed, prevention and rehabilitation from sport injury, strength and conditioning, recovery, fitness, and boosting athleticism.  In addition the du Elite Team will play competitive matches against top academies across the region.  

Fernando Sanz, General Director for MENA at LaLiga and the first LaLiga Global Ambassador, said, " We are very pleased to kick off training at the du LaLiga HPC and have brought out top coaches from LaLiga who are dedicated to working with talents to elevate their performance and prepare them for pro-careers.  We look forward to tracking the progress of our inaugural team whose performance in Spain over the summer was very impressive.”

The Talents enrolled at the du LaLiga HPC will receive physical training, physiotherapy, diet and nutrition programs as well as coaching through a partnership with Eupepsia medical clinic that will enable them to achieve and maintain physical, mental and emotional peak performance. 

Inspiratus CEO Hussein Murad said, “Today we are witnessing what will be a game-changer for young football enthusiasts across the nation.  At the du LaLiga HPC, youth will receive the highest standard and most comprehensive training which includes the physical training on the pitch, but also a comprehensive communications training program led by Inspiratus as well as diet and nutrition program led by Eupepsia.  We are certain that this program will produce some great footballers and are excited to follow the progress of the team.”

The HPC will have a revolving squad made up of under-18 players scouted nationwide through the du Football Champions platform. The program will be led by Head Coach Rafael Gil, with Enrique Gonzalez working as Assistant Head Coach and Sergio Dominquez as the Performance Coach. 

The du Football Champions is a nationwide initiative featuring the UAE’s official schools Cup and Streets Cup and is the only international youth football scouting platform in partnership with LaLiga.  Conducted in partnership with ADEC, KHDA, Ministry of Education, Dubai Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Sharjah Sports Council, it aims to achieve sustainable human development through the discovery of promising talents, who will raise the bar on sports excellence at local and national teams as they become the next generation of professional male and female footballers.  Top talents scouted through the initiative will be invited to participate in the du LaLiga HPC for yearlong training.