By: Madi Seneghore
– Spanish top-flight football club Real Betis has expanded its presence in Africa with the launch of a football academy in The Gambia aimed at developing young talent through the club’s training methodology.
The Real Betis Academy Gambia was officially launched on Thursday in Banjul and will operate from the Father Gough Sports Complex in Manjai Kunda, with capacity for up to 120 players aged between 10 and 18 years.
The academy is the club’s fourth on the African continent, following similar initiatives in Algeria, Eswatini and Senegal.
According to the club, the year-round programme is designed to support the sporting and personal development of young footballers through structured training based on Real Betis’ coaching philosophy.
Training sessions will be held on weekends and will focus on technical development, tactical awareness and teamwork. Players will also undergo regular performance assessments as part of the programme.
The academy was established in partnership with Unique Heritage Talent Management Group, a Gambian sports management organisation that will support the implementation and operation of the project.
Real Betis said 11 Gambian players are already benefiting from scholarships after being identified by the club’s coaches during a talent identification camp held in January.
Club officials said the initiative aims to create opportunities for young footballers in The Gambia and contribute to the development of grassroots football in the country.
In addition to its permanent academies, Real Betis operates a number of international development programmes, including short-term football camps, coach education initiatives and exchange programmes that allow young players to train at the club’s facilities in Seville, Spain.
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