TFA Kicks Off Participation in Dubai Open Football Academies League

The Football Academy (TFA) proudly announces its participation in the 3rd edition of the Dubai Open Football Academies (DOFA) League, set to run from October 6, 2024, to February 23, 2025. Organized by the Dubai Sports Council in collaboration with the UAE Football Association, this is the largest football tournament of its kind in Asia, featuring more than 11,000 male and female players from 100 academies across the UAE.

DOFA League: A Platform for Talent Development

The Football Academy (DOFA) League, held across nine venues in Dubai, has rapidly gained prestige since its inception. This year’s tournament represents a 120% increase in participation compared to last year, with over 500 teams from 100 academies, including local and international heavyweights. The tournament’s growth is a testament to the Dubai Sports Council’s efforts to support youth development through sport.

At the press conference held on October 3, 2024, at the Dubai Sports Council, key figures highlighted the significance of this year’s Football Academy DOFA League. Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC, noted the tournament’s continuous growth since its inception in 2017: “We are pleased with the constant success of the Dubai Open Football Academies Tournament. This year’s edition sees a significant increase in participants, with 11,000 players, a 120% increase from last year. This reflects our commitment to nurturing talent and supporting the next generation of footballers.”

Saeed Hareb added that the event serves as a crucial platform for scouting talent:
“The tournament is a unique opportunity to scout and develop sports talents. By offering such a large-scale event, we are helping to create a new generation of players who will go on to support clubs and national teams in the future.”

Mohammed Abdullah Bin Hazam Al-Dhaheri, Secretary General of the UAE Football Association, stated the alignment of the tournament with the UAE’s broader strategic goals: “This tournament is essential to achieving our goals of creating promising players. Competitions like this provide the solid ground for young talents to grow, and we are proud of the success it has achieved over the years.”

Ahmad Kabakibil, Co-Founder & CEO of Delta Group ME and DOFA, emphasized the tournament’s significance, stating: “We’re thrilled to see how this event has evolved into something much more than just football. It’s become a community—a family—that’s committed to nurturing young talent. Through collaboration with the UAE Football Association and various partners, we’ve seen remarkable success, including several players being scouted for the UAE national team.”

Kabakibi highlighted the rapid growth of girls’ football as well, with over 500 female players participating this year. He also noted that last year, four players were scouted directly from DOFA to join the UAE Under-20 National Team.
“This is the platform for young players who may not get exposure in local leagues. Here, they have a chance to showcase their skills on a bigger stage.”

TFA’s participation in DOFA

As a leading Football Academy committed to fostering young talent, TFA’s entry into this year’s DOFA League is a reflection of its mission to develop players who are prepared not just for football but for life. Over the years, TFA has built a reputation for offering both boys and girls a professional training environment. In this year’s tournament, TFA will compete alongside renowned teams from global academies like Barcelona, Ajax, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.

TFA’s participation is a step forward in its mission to compete at the highest level while offering young footballers a structured pathway to success. The league gives TFA players the chance to compete in over 6,000 matches, all of which will be officiated by 250 accredited referees from the UAE Football Association.

Competing in this year’s Football Academy DOFA League aligns perfectly with TFA’s goal of elevating football standards and creating opportunities for young athletes. As TFA players step onto the pitch, they will not only represent their academy but also the spirit of commitment, discipline, and teamwork that the academy instils in all its players.

With the DOFA League offering a unique blend of local and international competition, the future looks bright for TFA’s young footballers. The academy remains focused on its mission to develop tomorrow’s football stars, both on and off the field.