La Liga named betting brand SportPesa its official African betting partner in a three-year deal. The partnership aims to help La Liga grow and get closer to its fans in Africa. La Liga has offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Abuja, Nigeria. La Liga, consulting firm Inspiratus and the UAE FA announced an agreement to create the first official La Liga academy in the Middle East. The project will train young footballers from throughout the region (La Liga). In Abu Dhabi, John McAuley reported the academy will mark the first time the organization has "set up such an initiative outside its traditional base in Spain." It will be open to children aged 5-16, who will be mentored by UEFA Pro-Level certified La Liga coaches. Month-long summer camps in Spain will "also be provided, free of charge, where players will play friendlies" against La Liga clubs' youth teams. The academy will initially cater for up to 800 children across its four venues -- three in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. La Liga expects that number to increase "with the need to expand to more locations" (THE NATIONAL, 4/25).
