Punjab and Spain have opened talks on a sports partnership that could bring a LaLiga backed football academy to Lahore. The proposal came up during a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Spain's Ambassador Carlos Aragon Gil de la Serna. The two sides discussed a pilot academy in Lahore built in collaboration with LaLiga, Spain's professional football league. The programme would focus on developing football talent in Pakistan, offering training for both coaches and players with the aim of raising technical skills and professional standards. Young players in Lahore could gain exposure to the training methods associated with Spanish football, while local coaches would have a chance to strengthen their own development. That grassroots foundation could give the sport a more organised structure in the province. Sports cooperation was one of several areas on the agenda, alongside trade, business and culture, as the two sides looked for ways to deepen ties between Punjab and Spain. The proposal reflects a growing interest in structured training for Pakistani players and in linking local talent with international football expertise.
mwrana
October 9, 2026
