AC Milan strengthens long-term partnership with Colombo Athletic and Football Club

From left: CAFC Director Trevor Reckerman, AC Milan Academy Coach Nasar Ponsano, CAFC President Ajai Vir Singh, Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka and Maldives Damiano Francovigh, Cinnamon Grand Colombo GM Nazoomi Azhar, and Prima Group Sri Lanka Marketing Manager Himpa Gunawardana – Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe

By Michelle Therese Alles

AC Milan, in partnership with the Colombo Athletic and Football Club, has announced the launch of the second edition of the AC Milan Academy Camp in Sri Lanka, at the Thurstan Sports Complex.

The initiative marks the second major youth football training program in just nine months, reflecting a long-term commitment to developing progressive football pathways for the Sri Lankan youth. The camp which began on Monday concludes on 13 September.

Boys and girls between the ages of 6 - 17 will benefit from AC Milan’s internationally acclaimed training methods conducted by certified AC Milan (Rossoneri) coaches alongside the Colombo Football Academy’s expert knowledge.

These camps are designed to not only refine the technical abilities of young athletes but also to strengthen their physical fitness and mental well-being. The camps mark another significant step in the global growth of the Milan Junior Camp project, which this summer expanded to 23 new cities across North America and Europe.

With the sport evolving rapidly, creating a rising wave of interest among Sri Lankan youth, this project brings renewed momentum to the local football culture, backed by AC Milan’s established European legacy.

Colombo Athletic and Football Club President Ajai Vir Singh said:  “This is the start of a new era of football and sports education in Sri Lanka. AC Milan brings their 125-year heritage and success story in the form of a holistic training structure for our next generation. The program will open doors for boys and girls aged 6 to 17 to reach their fullest potential, introducing a systematic approach to sports that covers nutrition, mental health, strength training, and more.” 

The Colombo Athletic and Football Club was established with the key objective of bringing a scientific and systematic approach to sports for the next generation of Sri Lanka, focusing on holistic mind and body development beyond just football. 

Italy Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Damiano Francovigh said: “I believe this partnership will bring Italy and Sri Lanka closer together and inspire new generations of male and female athletes through shared passion, cultural exchange, and mutual ambition. Sport, in this sense, becomes a bridge promoting values such as discipline, inclusion, teamwork, and respect. These are the foundations on which lasting relationships are built, both on and off the field. I look forward to seeing the next feats of this inspiring journey.”

AC Milan Academy Coach Nasar Ponsano remarked on the importance of bringing together aspiring athletes to provide them with the opportunity to grow and become players.

Colombo Athletic and Football Club Director Trevor Reckerrnan said:  “We focus on exposing our student players to a tried and tested international success format previously absent in Sri Lanka. This is a great opportunity to infuse new life into a somewhat moribund sport.”

The project is being supported by several corporate partners. Prima Group has offered five scholarships for aspiring players, with Ceylon Agro Industries General Manager Sajith Gunaratne highlighting the brand’s commitment to youth empowerment. “We hope the camps will inspire the next generation to dream big,” he said.

Cinnamon Grand Colombo continues its role as official hospitality partner, with General Manager Nazoomi Azhar noting that the hotel’s involvement reflects Sri Lanka’s ability to host elite international sports programs while strengthening its profile as a sports tourism destination.

This partnership between Colombo Football Academy and AC Milan goes beyond the typical camp model, reflecting a long-term commitment to developing football in Sri Lanka through consistent, high-impact programs aimed at supporting lasting change in youth sports culture.