Portuguese legend Rui Costa opens Dubai football academy

Footlab in Sports City will give amateur players a taste of professional-grade facilities

Footlab is the second academy opened by the company, and follows the centre in Lisbon in giving amateurs a taste of professional-grade training facilities. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office 

Portuguese football legend Rui Costa pictured at the opening of Footlab Dubai in Sports City. Dubai Media Office

The 3,000 square metre Footlab centre in Dubai Sports City has grass pitches, indoor pitches and the latest training equipment at a performance analysis centre. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office  

Footlab Dubai features grass pitches. Photo: Dubai Media Office 

With the European football championships kicking off, the timing of a new academy of sporting excellence in Dubai could not have been better.

Footlab was unveiled by former AC Milan and Portugal star Rui Costa at the weekend, with demand fuelled by the  month of football ahead during Euro 2020.

It is the second academy opened by the company and follows the centre in Lisbon in giving amateurs a taste of professional-grade training facilities.

“Footlab is the first indoor football performance and entertainment park powered by the latest technology in Dubai,” said Hussein Murad, managing director of Footlab Dubai.

“It will take the sport to the next level to measure the performance of professional athletes as well as everyday football fans.

“For the first time, they will be able to play like a pro while having fun in a 3,000 square-metre centre.

“By creating Footlab, we can show what Dubai is doing to promote the sport at the state of the art facility.”

The site in Sports City includes grass pitches and its performance analysis centre has the latest training equipment.

Visitors can develop their skills and keep track of scores from drills and exercises to better understand those areas in which they can improve as a player.

The concept is the brainchild of Costa, who played 94 times for Portugal between 1993 and 2004, reaching the European Championship final in 2004 where his side lost to Greece.