Arsenal opens football academy in Vietnam

The Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Arsenal JMG Academy is an equal joint venture between the Premier League leader and Vietnam's private football club, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL). They will coach players for domestic and foreign clubs as well as for the national squad, according to Nguyen Van Vinh, HAGL's technical director.

 "We have recruited 16 players between 10 and 12 years old from all over the country for the first training course, which will last seven years," Vinh said.

 "With the opening of the academy, I hope that Vietnam will have more outstanding footballers in the future and that the country can dream about a brighter future and improve its position in the world football map," Vinh said.

 The five-hectare football institute, built in central Vietnam's Gia Lai province, includes two training grounds, housing and gym facilities.

 Currently, Vietnam holds the 130th position in the FIFA world rankings, and the third position in South East Asia, after Thailand and Indonesia.

 The lack of training has been blamed for Vietnam not performing better in international tournaments.

 Football is the most popular sports game in Vietnam, which has a population of 85 million people. Apart from the national teams, the country has hundreds of football clubs. 

DPA