Vale launches Football Academy for youth in North Al batinah

Transforming its commitment to youth development into action, Vale in Oman has launched its very own Football Academy, ‘Acadmiyat Vale Al Kurawiyah’, in partnership with Samba Futsal Center and Al Salam Club in the Wilayat of Liwa. At a special ceremony held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Sheikh Said bin Humaid Al Harthy, Wali of Liwa, in the presence of Sheikhs and community leaders including Yousuf Mohammed Said Al Mamari, Municipal Council Member and Ali Hassan Al Balushi, Al Salam Club Chairman, Vale kicked off the three-month program by welcoming 30 emerging football talents from the community to the Academy.

Trained in countries where football legends are born including Brazil and Spain, the Samba Futsal Center coaches will bring their accumulated 40 years of experience to Vale’s Academy. Customized weekly training sessions will be held to meet the changing needs of the team, and friendly weekly matches will expose the students to competitive play while the coaches assess their development. Ranging between 10 and 12 years of age, the students were nominated to join Vale’s Academy by Al Salam Club’s sports committee for their football skills and physical abilities as well as their enthusiasm and decorum.

Wali of Liwa, H.E. Dr. Sheikh Said bin Humaid Al Harthy, said, “Vale’s Football Academy is a great way to engage the community’s youth and get them to spend their time effectively while continuing to learn life values outside of the classroom. This will help drive their personal growth and enable them to reach their fullest potential. Being part of the Academy will not only instill in the youth qualities that will see them through to a prosperous future, but the sport could potentially open the door to new career prospects. I commend Vale for being an integral member of society that keeps in tune with people’s needs to benefit the community.”

Sergio Espeschit, Chief Executive Officer of Vale in Oman, said, “We work with local partners to identify opportunities that will enhance the quality of life in our community, and this program is a way for us to expose and cultivate young Omani talent. Like Oman, Brazil is very passionate about football and so it was the perfect choice as the common ground for us to bring people together for youth development.”

Paulo Koscina, Samba Futsal Center Manager, said, “Through Vale’s Football Academy, Samba Futsal Center aims to share the Brazilian philosophy of playing football. Our coaching method encompasses more than teaching a multitude of professional football disciplines and levels but also values that can be applied both on and off the field such as dedication, teamwork and integrity. We are excited to work with the students in Liwa who show great potential for a successful football career.”

Acadmiyat Vale Al Kurawiyah will add value to the community by unlocking the potential of the youth in North Al Batinah. Since its establishment in Oman, Vale has focused its efforts to support the empowerment of the youth including partnerships with leadership courses that provide students with the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, as well as volunteerism efforts to transfer knowledge and experience to the youth to guide them towards a future filled with opportunity