New Moroccan football academy hopes to train future stars
2008-05-19
The first stone was laid last week in the building project of Morocco's new football training facility in Salé. The academy, funded through private contributions and a royal grant, will train aspiring footballers in the skills they need both on and off the pitch.
By Mawassi Lahcen for Magharebia in Casablanca – 19/05/08
![]() [Mawassi Lahcen] Mohammed VI Football Academy Project Manager Nasser Larguet told Magharebia he searched "valleys and difficult neighbourhoods" for students to be sponsored to study and train at the academy. |
King Mohammed VI laid the ceremonial foundation last week for a new Moroccan football academy to be built in his name in the city of Salé. The building project spans an 18-hectare site and will include living quarters for trainees and educational and academic facilities, in addition to sports fields and facilities.
Project Manager Nasser Larguet said the academy will be an integrated educational centre for children ranging from 12 to 18 years of age. He noted that the academy features a fully-equipped school to enable children to proceed with their studies up to the baccalaureate level according to a schedule that also accommodates the sports training programme.
"Since I took on the mission in July 2007, I started a tour across the different regions of Morocco," Larguet told Magharebia. "I went to valleys and difficult neighbourhoods in search of young talents who have the necessary qualifications to join the academy," he added.
The school, which will be able to receive up to 60 trainees, offers three academic levels. The first prepares 13 or 14-year olds for the physical and educational demands to come. After succeeding at this level, children pass on to the second and the third. They graduate and are eligible to play as professionals when they are 18 years old.
The academy will also feature a centre to train coaching staff. In addition, a recreational school in the field of football is to be constructed on 3 hectares adjacent to the main academy. It is geared towards younger children from 6 to 12 years.
Larguet, a Moroccan from Taza, was selected for the mission due to his 25 years of professional experience as a manager of French centres specialising in youth football training.
The cost of the project is estimated at 140 million dirhams. It will be completely financed through private sector contributions. The list of major contributors in this project includes Caisse de Dépôts et de Gestion (CDG), ONA Group, Othman Benjelloun Group, Anas Sefrioui Group, and Maroc Telecom. In addition, the Moroccan King dedicated an annual grant from his own money to support the academy.
The Mohammed VI Football Academy project is run by a non-profit organisation consisting of chairmen of the major economic and financial groups contributing to the project. Mohammed Mounir Majidi, special advisor to King Mohammed VI, has been appointed as the Academy's board chairman.
The academy aspires to be a centre that graduates Moroccan football heroes, and to be a model experiment to be copied in other cities across Morocco.




BEN Posted 2008-05-25
Another academy! Yet another opportunity to throw money out the window! France sends us shoddy suburbanites to pick up football and other disciplines averaging us millions of dirhams. Up until now, they have succeeded in stuffing their pockets while pushing the quality of our sports disciplines lower. Pandora’s box is open! Whose turn is it? Be it music or sports, billions are going up into thin air. We won’t be bothered anymore.
tata Posted 2008-05-30
i want to be part of the football academy, as a student.
collins nwafor Posted 2008-05-31
hi sir i will like to register in your new academy i my seif is a good skillful player and am from nigeria
salama abdellah azrou Posted 2008-05-31
Mr. Nasser Larguet; Thank you for your return to Morocco, especially to the Royal Football Academy. This is a new dawn for Moroccan football, which will bring us the best in Moroccan sports and the best of Morocco’s talents. We have the honour of having Mr. Nasser for our high-level training in Morocco. Salam, Abdellah Azrou.
عثمان شبيتو Posted 2008-06-03
The article is very good as it presents detailed explanations.
Boulahcen Posted 2008-06-05
The royal initiative to create a modern football academy is an illuminating prospect. This will permit the country to train young talents who will be able to raise our football—which has long suffered from technical stagnation—to a higher level. Indeed, this academy will also help our national team face international challenges. From Boulahcen in the casbah of Tadla, Morocco.
Boulahcen Posted 2008-06-06
You invite us to write a comment, we write it and then you send us the message “Thank you for your comment. It should be posted momentarily”. Magharebia obliges itself to publish the readers’ comments as quickly as possible…” I wrote a comment 5 June 2008 and another one 6 June 2008, but these comments have not been published. You have not kept your commitment. It is now up to you to review how your website functions so as to not displease the readers. This site jokes, like never before seen!
عثمان شبيتو Posted 2008-06-12
Thank you Mr Nacer Larikte for your return to Morocco to personally supervise the training of the future generation through this royal football academy. I hope to be one of the candidates who will benefit from this good initiative as I have high skills. I have participated in many sport events and achieved many titles as the best striker and the best player. That is why I don’t want to miss this valuable opportunity. Finally, I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to his majesty King Mohamed VI. May God grant triumph to him and everyone working on this initiative. Thank you. With the greetings of Othmane Chbitou.
يوسف شبيتو Posted 2008-06-16
I thank you through this royal football academy which receives a wide interest by the Moroccan young people. I hope to benefit from this nice initiative as I have high skills. Establishing the academy of football will be profitable for the young people and national football as well. It is really a very good initiative for training young people in football. For this reason, I don’t want to miss this valuable opportunity. Finally, I present my warmest wishes and congratulations to his majesty the king Mohamed VI, may God assist him, to his Excellency the prince Moulay Al Hassan and all the royal family and to everyone working on this initiative. Thank you. With the greetings of Youssef Chbitou.
boras Posted 2008-06-16
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank King Mohammed VI for supporting this initiative. Moroccans are passionate about football and schemes like this will facilitate the development football to new levels of professionalism insha'Allah.
owojori olanrewaju Posted 2008-06-23
HI MY NAME IS LANRE OWOJORI I AM FROM NIGERIA I AM A GOAL KEEPER I KEEP FOR UNDER 13,14,15,16, I WANT TO JOIN FOOTBALL ACADEMY I WANT YOU TO HELP ME TO FIND IT THANKS
عبد الكريم Posted 2008-07-02
My brother wants to join the academy. So what should he do, if you don't mind?
masad az.eddine Posted 2008-07-07
Please, I would like to know what is required to get into the football academy in Salé. I am a young Moroccan, born 11 February 1992. I live in Marrakesh. I am looking to sign up to join this academy. I await your favourable response. Please accept, Mr Director, my sincerest respects. I am impatiently awaiting your response. Thank you. Thank you
وحيد علية Posted 2008-07-14
I am a football player. I have many qualities which are all other players don’t have. I am 18 from Algeria, Wilaya of Tibessa. Football skills, high personal talents. I can dodge any defender. I am sure about my skills. I am better than Robinho. My only drawback is that I am physically weak.
abdelkarim Posted 2008-07-15
Salam alikum my brothers. I want to join you. Is there any site or email for communication? Do you accept young people aged 18? Thank you.
soumahoro Posted 2008-07-29
Hi, I am from the Ivory Coast. I would like to take the test to get into your training centre. Thank you
Chibata Posted 2008-08-02
Please i am a good football player from west africa nigeria and i love to travell to play with you in morocco.
Daniel Posted 2008-08-05
thank you for this
ali boucharga Posted 2008-08-06
Salam alikum. I am Ali from Morocco, the town of Guelmim. I have skills in football. I am looking for a football school.
ali boucharga Posted 2008-08-06
hi hello iam ali in maroco iwant aplayer foot ball
kone mamadou Posted 2008-08-07
I was born on 21 September 1992 in Abobo. I began playing football at the age of ten. I play defence, but I play several other positions too. I am 1 metre 88 centimetres tall and I weigh 45 kilograms. I am motivated to play in Morocco in this centre. I have the talent and I would like to train more. I want to give my best to this centre. I love football, just like everyone else, and I will give my life to it.
kone mamadou Posted 2008-08-18
Hi, I would like to register with this academy. I am from the Ivory Coast. I play football. Football is my life.
youssef larguet Posted 2008-08-26
my cousin nasser larguet is from Berkane not ----Taza --THANK YOU.
kone brahima Posted 2008-08-31
Hello sir, I am a 17-year-old Ivorian. I would like to play in your academy because playing football is a dream that I have always wanted to fulfil.
akinbo mohammed musa Posted 2008-09-01
i have been looking for this oppourtunity since i joined my football academy,thank to almighty ALLAH,i found one. I thank you through this royal football academy which receives a wide interest by the people of morocco. I hope to benefit from this initiative as I have high skills. Establishing the academy of football will be profitable for the young people and national football as well. It is really a very good initiative for training young people in football. For this reason, I don’t want to miss this valuable opportunity. Finally, I present my warmest wishes and congratulations to his majesty the king Mohamed VI, may God assist him, to his Excellency the prince Moulay Al Hassan and all the royal family and to everyone working on this initiative. Thank you.mohammed musa,may almighty ALLAH grant King Mohammed VI,looking forward for your reply
shodimu olalekan ahmed Posted 2008-09-10
would love to get admittedinto your academy and will be very glad if my application is granted. thanks for the website opportunity.wish to hear from you soon. yours faithfully ahmed
AGOUSSI BEUGRE EMILE Posted 2008-10-02
I have been seeking such an opportunity since I joined my football academy, and, God willing, I will find it. Thank you for the Royal Football Academy, which has the Moroccan people’s great interest. I hope to benefit from this initiative because I am very talented. The creation of a football academy will be very beneficial for young people and for our nation’s football. It is truly a great initiative to train young people in football. For this reason, I do not want to miss this chance. I extend my warmest greetings to and congratulations to His Majesty, Kong Mohamed VI, may God aid him, to His Excellency, Prince Moulay Al Hassan, to the entire royal family and to all those who are working on this initiative. May God Almighty watch over King Mohammed VI. I look forward to your response. -Thank you, Mohammed Musa
sidibe Posted 2008-10-13
Hi, I would like some information on your new football centre. I am Senegalese.
houndezehoue Posted 2008-10-15
My name is Sena Enock Houndezehou. I live in Ghana. I would like to enrol in this centre. I would like you to help me enrol in this centre. I am placing my hopes on you.
samra Posted 27 days ago
Salam alikum. I am from Algeria. I want to register at the academy. I am 10. I am a qualified junior player in football.
ousmane diakité Posted 26 days ago
Hi- I am a young athlete. I am looking for a football training academy. I am Guinean. I am 14 years old. I went to school at Mohamed College, Conakry.
jerry Posted 26 days ago
iam a boy named jerry i am from the volta region in ghana i want to play for you academy i am a defender a part from that any position you give me i can play
ماجد Posted 24 days ago
I am a very talented player. I am 13 and have great skills.
idowu ojo Posted 21 days ago
i will like to join the academy.
tejjini ali oujda Posted 21 days ago
There you have it: finally an expert with some experience is in charge of the Morocco’s number-one football academy. Thank you, Mr Nasser, for accepting the directorship of the academy. Oujda’s Amal Football Tournament will always be at your disposal when it comes to finding new talent. –Ali Tejjini.
rabie tejjini Posted 21 days ago
I was born in 1990. I am a midfielder for Oujda’s MCO. I play first-division in the junior league. Every time I play, I carry the game for MCO, be it a home or away game. I invite you to come check out my talent. I am a lefty and all of my friends are encouraging me to find a training centre worthy of my quality. My father and my uncle are coaches well known throughout Morocco.
medard Posted 20 days ago
Hey- Good evening, Mr Director- I enjoyed your article. It is with simple and very sincere writing from the bottom of my heart that I am sending you this message. I got to visit your website and let me tell you that I am really happy and glad that you were able to create football academies. In fact, I only received the honour of my visit to your website through a friend who put me in contact with you on it. My name is Toukpeu “Bienvenu” Medard, but my Muslim name is Mohamed Rahifou. I converted to Islam after my parents passed away. I am Ivorian. I am 16 years old. I love my mother and father. I live with a little Muslim family, which raised me and took care of me until I grew up to be the man I am today. I play football, but I have not had the chance to develop my abilities in any of my country’s teams. Here, if you do not have money, you cannot go very far. So, I hope that you will help me. In any case, I would like to know if your training centre is free or costs money. I plan on reading your website soon.
يوسف Posted 13 days ago
This is a great academy. I want please the address of this academy to send them a letter so that I can register.
Karamo Posted 12 days ago
I would like some information about this academy.
يوسف بكيرو Posted 11 days ago
Hi. My name is Youssef Bekir. I am 16. I play in the midfield. I want to join your school.
djigo Posted 6 days ago
Hello- I am Senegalese. I am 16 years old. I would like to join your academy. I would like to be recruited. I love football. My life depends on it. Thank you.
kamal Posted 5 days ago
I am a young person. I want to play with you. I am 14 years old. I hope you will leave me a message.
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