Sabah FC is set to establish a 10 million manat financial program aimed at supporting the sustainable development of youth football in Azerbaijan.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the club announced this initiative in an official statement.
Following a decree by President Ilham Aliyev, Sabah FC received 5 million manat in financial support in recognition of the club's qualification for the UEFA Champions League league phase. To further invest in the future of Azerbaijani football, the club has decided to allocate an additional 5 million manat from its own Champions League earnings toward youth development.
Consequently, the "Sabah Football Academy Future Talents" program will launch with an initial capital of 10 million manat, equally funded by state support and the club's own resources. The program's core principle is to preserve and grow this capital through professional management, aiming to create a long-term, self-sustaining financial source. Additionally, a portion of ticket sales revenue from the club's UEFA Champions League matches this year will be directed into the program.
The initiative aims to ensure the sustainable development of youth football by identifying talented children and strengthening their professional training. It will focus on modern coaching methods, sports science, medical support, performance analytics, and personal development. Sabah FC intends to expand its talent scouting system across the country, ensuring equal development opportunities for promising players regardless of their region or family financial background.
The club emphasized that this initiative aligns with the activities of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) regarding youth football development, prioritizing mutual cooperation and experience exchange. In the long term, Sabah FC plans to expand collaborations with academies and football schools across the South Caucasus and Central Asia, aiming to establish the academy as a leading regional football development hub.
Sabah FC will also invite local companies and international partners to join the initiative as "Foundation Partners." The club stated that further details regarding the program's operational principles, management model, and partnership mechanisms will be released to the public in due course.
This investment marks a significant milestone for Azerbaijani sports, reflecting a growing commitment to professionalizing youth development infrastructure and elevating the standard of domestic football on the international stage.
