AC MILAN AND NASSER CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNER TO LAUNCH FIRST AC MILAN ACADEMY PRO IN BAHRAIN

AC Milan is proud to announce a partnership with the Nasser Centre for Science and Technology (NCST) to open the first-ever AC Milan Academy Pro in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Academy will be based at the prestigious NCST in Askar, Bahrain.

As a leading educational and vocational institution, NCST combines academic and sports training to empower young secondary school athletes. The partnership with AC Milan will leverage the Club's extensive expertise to guide students through a specialized football training program designed to foster their athletic and personal growth. This joint collaboration aims to form the next generation of professional footballers in Bahrain, and set a new standard in the Kingdom for sports education.

Utilising the comprehensive AC Milan Method, which prioritizes the enhancement of young participants' potential through activities catered to each individual, Official Milan Academy Coaches will focus on enhancing the technical skills of aspiring footballers, while also promoting a holistic approach to education and personal development. The project aims to integrate sports education with professional football training, enhancing NCST's Sports and Business Management track and reinforcing the sports culture among Bahraini youth.

The collaboration was formally launched at a ceremony held at Casa Milan, where AC Milan Chief Commercial Officer Maikel Oettle and NCST's CEO Dr. Abdulla Naser Al-Noaimi celebrated the signing of the official agreement, marking the beginning of the strategic partnership.

Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, said: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our AC Milan Academy Pro in Bahrain in partnership with NCST. This initiative highlights our ongoing commitment to developing young talent and expanding our presence in the Middle East, a region where we have strong ties, especially with our Casa Milan Dubai, which opened last year. Through this partnership, we aim to create a world-class environment for aspiring footballers, nurturing their potential both on and off the pitch. We look forward to seeing the remarkable talent that will emerge from this exciting project."

Dr. Abdulla Naser Al Noaimi, CEO of NCST, added: "At NCST, we place great emphasis on developing the sports sector and the development of young football talent through an innovative and structured educational framework. Our Sports and Business Management track is designed to cultivate future players, coaches, and administrators with a professional mindset. We are proud to collaborate with AC Milan on the Academy Pro project, which is in line with the Kingdom's vision for Bahraini sports professionals to reach regional and international success."

This initiative reflects AC Milan's commitment to developing talent through its Academy project, as well as the strong institutional relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Italy, a relationship that was further strengthened by this significant step, in the presence of H.E. Osama Abdulla Al Absi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Italian Republic, who attended the formal signing of the partnership.

The launch of the AC Milan Academy Pro in Bahrain marks an important milestone in AC Milan's continued efforts to strengthen its relationship with the Middle East. Following the opening of Casa Milan Dubai in November 2023 and the AC Milan Academy in Dubai, this new initiative in Bahrain is part of the Club’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the region.

AC Milan has a long-standing commitment to the Middle East, where it has operated its longest-running AC Milan Academy in Kuwait for over 15 years, reaching more than 5,000 boys and girls. This new venture in Bahrain will continue that legacy, further supporting the development of football and strengthening AC Milan's connection with its passionate fanbase in the region.