The ‘Iker Casillas Goalkeeper Training Centre’ will be the first training centre for goalkeepers by the legend outside of Spain.
Established in partnership with Dubai’s Fursan Hispania FC, the facility will be run under the leadership of renowned Spanish footballer Mr. Michel Salgado. The facility is expected to dedicate its efforts in honing the skills of aspiring young goalkeepers from the UAE and the region, as well as established club and country professionals and goalkeeping coaches.
Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council remarked that, “The launch of the ‘Iker Casillas Goalkeeper Training Centre’ in Dubai is great news for young goalkeeping talents and coaches from not just the UAE but around the region. The programme has been developed by one of the finest goalkeepers in football history – a legend who has won a World Cup (2010) and two European titles (2008 and 2012) as captain of Spain, and numerous other titles in a long and illustrious career with his club Real Madrid, both at home and on the continental stage. Casillas has a few equals in football history, and the fact that he has chosen Dubai to launch this specialised programme for goalkeepers reaffirms Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading centres for the development of sports talent and coaches, and the preferred destination for investment in the sports sector.”
Mr. Hareb further added that both Casillas and Salgado will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Centre, which will serve as a unique space for goalkeepers and goalkeeping coaches looking to refine and hone their skills.
“Salgado has been our partner for many years and has worked on many different projects with Dubai Sports Council for the benefit of football in the country and region, and we are pleased to strengthen our association with him as part of this new initiative. The Council’s doors are always open to new projects and initiatives that seek to develop sports here and our sports sector, and for people looking to invest in the sector. We assure them of our complete support, and we remain committed to providing them with all the means of success,” the Dubai Sports Council Secretary-General concluded.
Sharing his excitement, Mr. Iker Casillas stated that, “As you all know, my football career was brought to an early and premature end due to health reasons. This training centre is like starting a new second life for me. I have always dreamt of giving back to this sport which has given me everything, and I have always wanted to open a training centre dedicated to goalkeeping. There are very few specialist training centres for goalkeepers in the world, and I am really pleased to launch this important project here in Dubai, a city where I have always felt welcomed.”
“I would like to thank Dubai, first and foremost, and then Michel Salgado and Dubai Sports Council for making this project become a reality. Our focus will, of course, be on creating goalkeepers, but more than that, I want this training centre to develop good human beings because that is the most important thing,” Mr. Casillas added.
IKER CASILLAS GOALKEEPER TRAINING CENTRE
Prepared to meet the different requirements, the centre is expected to offer three distinct products;
- Weekly Programme
- Programme for Goalkeeping Coaches
- Fursan Goalkeeping Implant Programme.
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