Borussia Dortmund have opened an international academy in Ghana, the club announced. It marks their first entry in Africa as it seeks to develop young talents from the vast continent, starting from this west African nation.
The BVB academy is established in partnership with Accra Shooting Stars, an Accra-based youth development football club, aiming to nurture boys and girls aged between six to eight.
Players here will be introduced to Dortmund's elite training methodology with focus on developing qualities such as leadership, education, discipline and nutrition while remaining rooted to Ghanian football culture.
Director Internationalization and Commercial Partnerships & Managing Director BVB Football Academy Benedikt Scholz said:
""This opening is a strong statement in a market with which BVB has been connected for many years through players such as Otto Addo and Ibrahim Tanko. Together with our partners on the ground, we look forward to building sustainable structures step by step for the development of young footballers.""said Scholz
Emphasizing on Dortmund's goal of providing Ghana's rising stars with a conducive environment for development while pointing to the club's links with a few players from the country such as Otto Addo and Ibrahim Tanko, he further added:
""Every child's football journey is different. Whether recreational or elite, our goal is to provide quality coaching, structure, and a safe environment where players can grow both on and off the pitch.""said Scholz
With this, Borussia Dortmund, one of the most celebrated clubs in Europe, expands its football youth development program to Africa for the first time, setting a compelling milestone in the club's fabled academy.
Academy Director Teddy Hiadzi confirmed that the academy is open to all with fees ranging from 1,500 euros to 2,500 euros depending on age and level of program while stressing that affordability and access remains their main priority.
Moreover, for every age squad, five of the most talented kids will get full scholarship to play for free, an attractive incentive that would further prompt young guns from Ghana to join.
According to reports from Ghana, legendary forward Andre Ayew's daughter has already joined the newly opened academy in Accra, while Tanko, former Dortmund midfielder, will serve as its ambassador.
The idea for starting this academy in Ghana were planted before the COVID-19 pandemic when Dortmund officials met with Accra Shooting Stars founder Isaac Ansah at the World Football Summit in the United Kingdom. It then received a further boost with Dortmund's Legends Tour in 2022.