Sporting CP opens sixth Academy School in Africa

The Sporting Academy in South Africa is the country's third and the sixth on the African continent. João Gomes, who lives in the city and was considered as being Sporting Member of the Year, spoke about what the new facilities mean to the region.

"We can feel the passion coming from Sporting and it is a pleasure to see these kids, who are mostly South African, wearing a green and white shirt. A lot of them want to go to Alvalade to watch a match", opened Gomes, adding: "This is just the start of the project for us and we will carry on growing."

The Sporting board member Luís Roque was also on hand to speak about the reasoning behind the building of the Nelspruit facility: "A few years ago we had one school abroad and now we have six in Africa. That shows what Sporting is looking to do with foreign communities. Sometimes the people who join us don't speak Portuguese, but they certainly know how to say Sporting. We are really ambitious and this year alone we are looking to open another ten Academies."

Luís Roque speaks with radio journalists after opening of South Afica Academies

After a busy day in Johannesburg, the Sporting committee visiting South Africa traveled to Nelspruit this Sunday.

Known for its safaris, including the Kruger Park, the area now has its very own Sporting Academy School officially opened by president Bruno de Carvalho, board member Luís Roque and club member of the year, João Gomes.

Luís Roque proved satisfied with the latest addition to the Sporting Academy Network: "This is an important step for Sporting's expansion and image. Before this we only had one international academy, which is in Toronto."

The Future of Football Congress sent for second running

After the outstanding success of the first Future of Football Congress, Sporting will host a second edition, on the 20th and 21st of April. Board Member Luís Roque spoke with the Sporting website this week about what we can expect from the event.

“We want it to be a congress with international visibility, with a quality that is just as good as the last one or maybe even better. We want the fans to get involved, along with everyone else who likes football. The idea is for the congress to generate discussions which can contribute to a variety of football related themes. The questions which we will tackle can add to the football debate around Europe and the rest of the World. The congress gives us the chance to bring together people who are really relevant for football in Europe and around the world, which allows us share ideas that will help Sporting going into the future", explained Luís Roque, before speaking about the speakers who have been invited to take part: "The panels are pretty much all new. About 90% of the speakers are participating for the first time and they will contribute with very distinct things. We have a panel on inovation, which will talk about new technologies. Sporting is the only club in Portugal which supports the use of technologies to help referees and that is an example of the kind of ideas we can bring to the world of football."

For more information, or to get involved, visit www.thefutureoffootball.org