Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, visits our Academy Headquarters in Almaty
The Head of State of the Central Asian nation expressed his interest in the development of our project in the city, where more than 160 players and over 300 young prospects are currently being trained.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, visited the Atlético de Madrid Academy's headquarters in Almaty on Tuesday 2 June. For the past two seasons, coaches and staff from our Club have been developing a long-term project in the city, with a minimum duration of ten years, aimed at training local players and coaches in accordance with the renowned development model of Atlético de Madrid's youth academy. The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with our partner, Doscar Group.
The visit fulfilled a commitment made by the Kazakh President in June 2024 during the first institutional meeting held prior to the launch of the project in Astana, the country's capital. Atlético de Madrid president Enrique Cerezo was present at that meeting, alongside Emilio Gutiérrez, Director of the Academy and International Expansion, and María Teresa Chirivi, Deputy Director of the Academy and International Expansion.
During Tuesday’s visit, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was accompanied by Darkhan Satybaldy, Mayor of Almaty, Luis Martínez Montes, Spanish Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Marat Omarov, President of the Kazakhstan Football Federation, among other authorities. Atlético de Madrid was represented by board member David Villa, María Teresa Chirivi and Natanael Cano, coordinator of the Club’s youth football programme. Daniyar Abulgaizin, CEO of Sport Asset Management, President of the Kazakhstan Table Tennis Federation and owner of the Aqbulaq Sports City, hosted the event.
“We are extremely grateful for Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit. It represents important support for our international project, whose objective is to develop talent and build connections through sport,” said David Villa, who also highlighted the progress and footballing quality shown by the Kazakh players training at our academy in Almaty, many of whom he had previously met in Madrid.
“Two years ago, you opened the doors of your country to us and placed your trust in us to launch this strategic project. We are honoured and deeply grateful for the presence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and for the opportunity to show him what has been achieved through the partnership between our local partners and Atlético de Madrid. Football is a powerful tool for strengthening ties between countries and people, and today we renew our commitment to continue working towards a better future by creating opportunities through sport,” added María Teresa Chirivi.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also expressed his satisfaction and pride regarding the project's development and took a keen interest in the progress of the young players training at our headquarters in Almaty. The academy already features two residential and training complexes, one of them located in the suburban residential district of Aqbulaq, with three additional pitches currently under construction. At present, the facilities are home to more than 160 players and over 300 youth prospects across nine teams, representing more than a dozen nationalities.
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