Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals' owners are “all set to sell half of their stakes in order to give the side a much needed financial boost ahead of the 12 edition of the popular league.” The owners have “approached key BCCI officials and intimated their decision to sell around” 50% of their stakes. Manoj Badal is the principal owner of the Royals. A senior BCCI official confirmed the team is “selling a major part" of their stakes and the highest bidder will be getting it.” The official added, “What we have heard is that it is around fifty percent and some of the biggest business houses in the country are apparently interested” (TIMES OF INDIA, 1/17).
La Liga side Atletico Madrid will officially open its first football academy in Lahore later this month, the "Atlético De Madrid Academia in Pakistan." Children from all over Pakistan “will be able to train under the guidance of Spanish coaches.” Atlético wants to "see player progression to Pakistan’s national youth teams in three to five years, and Pakistani players playing for Los Colchoneros in the near future.” Businessmen Muhammad Atta Tanseer and his cousin Omer Sheikh are the “passionate football fans behind this landmark initiative” (London INDEPENDENT, 1/17).
