Unearthing local talent
Ahmed Radhi Academy trains 150 youngsters in Salah Al-Din
A new initiative spearheaded by local athletes in Salah Al-Din is seeking to unearth and develop football talent to bolster the ranks of national teams.
The initiative includes the launch of a new academy named after the late Iraqi football legend Ahmed Radhi. Opened just two weeks ago, the Ahmed Radhi Academy has already attracted over 150 young players, ranging in age from 6 to 15. These players gather daily for training sessions at the Tikrit Sports Park field after 7 p.m.
Thaer Ali, head of the academy, explained the mission to 964media. “We aim to train a promising generation to represent Salah Al-Din governorate across various clubs,” Ali said. He noted a lack of young players in club lineups, which the academy hopes to address. “We have players aged 6 to 15 years, and few in these age groups are present in clubs. Therefore, we focus on developing their skills comprehensively, based on the parents’ requests,” he added.
Saif Al-Tikriti, a youth coach at the academy, highlighted the rigorous selection and training processes. “The Ahmed Radhi Academy was inaugurated on May 25, 2024, and we have selected a group of talented and skilled players in Tikrit born between 2009 and 2019, under the supervision of an excellent coaching staff,” Al-Tikriti told 964media.
Another coach, Bilal Muthanna Ahmed, emphasized the ongoing efforts in talent scouting. “We are currently in the talent discovery phase, and the number of participants increases daily, now reaching 150 players,” Ahmed said. “Training sessions continue every day at 7 p.m. after the local team matches.”
The academy’s curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of football, such as ball control, discipline, and commitment on the field. “We also emphasize the importance of respect and sportsmanship, and we monitor the players’ educational and behavioral progress,” Ahmed added.
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