Sabah Football Club launches 10 million manat development program
Azerbaijani football club Sabah has announced the launch of a 10 million manat youth football development program aimed at establishing a long-term foundation for domestic sports.
Yulduz Salimov2 min read
Azerbaijani football club Sabah has announced the implementation of a new development program with a budget of 10 million manats. The initiative aims to strengthen the club's position and achieve long-term strategic goals, specifically the sustainable development of youth football.
Previously, the club secured a spot in the main stage of the UEFA Champions League. In connection with this, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order allocating 5 million manats in financial support to the club, which management decided to direct toward the future of Azerbaijani football. The reigning national champions also decided to allocate an additional 5 million manats from their own funds.
Long-term strategy and the "Sabah Future Fund"
Club President Maqsud Adigozalov noted in an interview that the initiative is not a short-term project. According to him, the allocated amount does not represent funds for immediate spending, but rather the initial capital for the "Sabah Future Fund".
"Our goal is not to spend these 10 million manats, but to preserve them, manage them, and ensure their profitability. A portion of the income generated by the fund will be directed toward the development of youth football and the academy, while another portion will be reinvested to grow the fund," explained Maqsud Adigozalov.
The academy's primary task is to ensure that more young footballers reach the first team and Azerbaijan's national teams. The program is also designed to identify talented children across various regions of the country regardless of their financial background.
Expert assessment
Former Azerbaijan national team coach Arif Asadov called the club's move positive and timely.
"This step shows that the club is thinking not only about itself, but about Azerbaijani football as a whole. Everything must start with youth football. The national team depends on the clubs, and local footballers are nurtured in them," the specialist emphasized.
Specific goals, fund management mechanisms, and performance evaluation criteria will be presented in detail during the official presentation of the fund.
Source: report.az
