FC Porto has expanded its international footprint by launching a new Dragon Force football academy in Sialkot, Pakistan. The partnership with the Sialkot Football Academy was announced on Tuesday.
The project is part of Porto's global expansion strategy, aiming to bring its methodology and values to a new generation of young players. Pakistan, with over 250 million inhabitants and a strong economy, is seen as a territory with enormous potential for scouting and development.
The Sialkot Dragon Force by FC Porto academy will operate in collaboration with the local structure, which is managed by Forward Sports. This company is known for manufacturing official match balls for the World Cup and other major tournaments. Ricardo Frey-Ramos, director of FC Porto Dragon Force Academies, said the initiative is significant. «This partnership represents a very special opportunity to bring FC Porto closer to young players in Pakistan. We want to share our methodology,» he stated.
With this integration, Porto's international network, which already spans four continents, will quickly surpass 11,000 students. The club's long-term goal is to reach 40,000 young athletes worldwide by 2030.
For the Pakistani side, the collaboration is seen as a milestone. Hassan Masood Khawaja, president of the Sialkot Football Academy, highlighted the opening of a new chapter. «We are opening a new chapter for young talent in Pakistan.» he said.
The initiative has the diplomatic support of the Embassy of Pakistan in Portugal, which sees sport as a bridge between the two nations. The project also had a key contribution from Haroon Sharif, former Pakistani Investment Minister, who helped bring the entities together.
This is Porto's second academy in Asia, after India, and reinforces the club's commitment to global football development. Fans can follow the progress of the club's young talents via the official first-team squad page and the fixtures schedule. The new academy in Sialkot will begin operations later this year.
