Juventus, one of Europe’s most successful football clubs, has officially unveiled its academy in Ghana, with former Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and Consul of Ghana to Italy Massimiliano Colasuonno Taricone leading the project as equal partners.
The academy located at the Tetteh Quarshie Avenue in Accra aims to spread the Italian club’s colours, methods, and values in the West African country and will provide young male and female players aged betweensix to 21 years with opportunities to learn, grow, and flourish, both on and off the pitch.
The facility comprises an astroturf football pitch, a padel tennis court, a multi-purpose court for basketball, volleyball, futsal and skating as well as a 6-a-side futsal arena.
It also has four classrooms that can seat 30 children each.
Speaking at a press conference held at the SMAC Sports Center within Casa Trasaco in Accra on Friday morning, Asamoah, who won 74 caps for Ghana, expressed his enthusiasm for the project:
“Our primary goal is to make young talents better persons even before they become professional footballers”.
Asamoah also revealed that he was dealing with other clubs until he had a call from Juventus manager Max Allegri and the team manager, which prompted him to share the project with the Italian club.
“I was dealing with other clubs but when I had a call from the coach, Max Allegri, and the team manager, I decided to share the project with Juventus,” Asamoah said.
Taricone, who played a significant role in the academy’s establishment, also addressed the press, sharing his excitement for the project, which he said had been in the works for several years.
“The dream for this magnificent project started years ago and underwent several processes,” Taricone said. “I would like to acknowledge the incredible support received from President Nana Akufo-Addo, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, and Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.”
The official launch of the Juventus Academy Ghana is expected to take place before the conclusion of 2023.