Republic of Mauritius- LFC International Football Academy will be a game changer in the history of Mauritian sports, says PM

The Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, made this announcement, today, during a press conference at the New Treasury Building, Port Louis in presence of the Head of International Academies/Soccer Schools at LFC, Mr. Daniel White, and other personalities.

Prime Minister Jugnauth pointed out that Budget 2019/2020 announced the signature of an agreement between Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Ltd (MMIL), and LFC and Athletics Grounds Ltd. The agreement, he indicated, is for a period of three years adding that the overall cost is estimated at around Rs 108 million. The project, he said, is being funded partly by the Government and partly by the private sector and other Funds. He announced that under the agreement, LFC has granted MMIL exclusive right to deliver the LFC International Football Academy Soccer/Schools programmes in Mauritius as well as the right to use its Intellectual Property license in relation to delivery and marketing of international academy in Mauritius.

Mr Jugnauth recalled that the idea of developing a football academy in Mauritius was first mentioned in the Government Programme 2015-2019 with the aim of increasing the level of standards of sports activities in the country while offering young talents opportunities to pursue career locally and abroad. The setting up of the academy is in line with the National Sports and Physical Activities Policy launched in October last year which has as core principle the elite strategy, he said. The strategy recommends academic schools and stipulates strong focus on talent as well as nurturing and developing athletes and players, he added.

Speaking about the LFC, the Prime Minister said that it was chosen as it is one of the best and illustrious football academies in United Kingdom and around the world. LFC coaching philosophy, he indicated, has inspired many countries to promote the development of players on and off the pitch through experiences and life skills.

According to Mr White, LFC programmes is based on a holistic approach and aims to support the improvement of skill and technique in young footballers, as well as help them fulfil their potential as mature, well-rounded individuals. He also said that the academy consistently applies the same coaching principles to all their programmes and all players are coached exactly in the same way as players in Liverpool, ‘The Liverpool Way’. He expressed confidence that the project will be a positive development for football in Mauritius and looks forward to work in collaboration with Mauritius.

LFC International Football Academy /Soccer Schools, Mauritius

The academy, which will be the second LFC academy in the African region, will provide unique opportunities for children around the country from grass roots level to elite youth football to learn to play football in ‘The Liverpool Way’. It will target young Mauritians aged 12 years to 15 years and provide age-specific coaching sessions for players to improve their football skills as well as their technical, tactical, physical, social and mental abilities. The recruitment of trainees is expected to start in August.

The implementation and development of the coaching programme will be overseen by LFC coaching staff, who will be based in Mauritius to oversee the project. Local coaches will also be involved and will benefit from a comprehensive coach education scheme.

A wide range of year-round programmes are planned to begin during the year, including ongoing player development sessions and soccer schools during the holiday season. The three-year programme will target a maximum of 256 trainees in the first year, 512 trainees in the second year and 768 in the third year.