Osasuna coaches set to host five-day football camp in Jamaica

SPORTS INNOVATORS Group Ltd (SIG) has inked a three-year deal with Spanish La Liga giants, CA Osasuna.

The highlight of the partnership is an annual football camp in Jamaica, organised by SIG and featuring technical expertise from Osasuna. The camp will run from April 1-5 at the Barbican Astro Turf.

This initiative presents an unparalleled opportunity for young Jamaican footballers aged eight to 17 to immerse themselves in the essence of the sport.

“Following the triumph of last year’s SL Benfica camp, it was strategically imperative for us to broaden the horizons for our budding players, providing them with the optimal platform to realise their potential,” remarked SIG’s managing director, Paul Campbell.

Expressing concerns over the challenges faced by Jamaican players in acclimatising to the rigours of professional football abroad, Campbell emphasised the significance of introducing European methodologies to Jamaican youth early on. Such exposure, he believes, will facilitate smoother transitions and better adaptability in the future.

SHOWCASE SKILLS

The CA Osasuna camp will accommodate 80 players, offering two daily sessions, each catering to 40 participants, throughout the initial four days. The fifth and final day will feature inter-squad games where players can showcase their skills to the attending coaches.

Iokin Lobo Yeregui, head of the physical conditioning department at CA Osasuna, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with Jamaican players.

“This football training camp presents an ideal platform to hone the specific skills of these youngsters, considering their age. Leveraging this window of opportunity is crucial. I am confident this experience will be enriching, given Jamaica’s unique footballing landscape,” remarked Yeregui.

Endorsed by the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), the camp will double as a talent scouting avenue for CA Osasuna. Additionally, a coaching education workshop will run concurrently, with 10 local coaches granted the opportunity to shadow the Osasuna coaching staff over the five days.