Punjab and Spain are exploring a proposal to establish a pilot football academy in Lahore in collaboration with LaLiga, Spain’s professional football league.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Spanish Ambassador Carlos Aragon Gil de la Serna. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Punjab and Spain in sports, business, trade, culture and environmental issues.
The proposed academy would focus on the training and development of football players and coaches. Through cooperation with LaLiga, the project could introduce modern Spanish football training methods and coaching expertise to Punjab.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen sports ties between Pakistan and Spain. Officials also discussed opportunities for Punjab to benefit from Spain’s experience in football development and other areas.
During the meeting, the two sides also considered establishing a Punjab-Spain Business Council to promote trade and commercial links. The possibility of developing sister-city relations between Lahore and Barcelona was also discussed.
Environmental cooperation was another key topic. Maryam Nawaz proposed a joint working group to address challenges including air pollution, heatwaves and forest fires. She also expressed interest in learning from Barcelona’s experience in urban planning and creating more people-friendly public spaces.
The proposed LaLiga academy could provide young footballers and local coaches with access to professional training and international expertise if the plan moves forward.
