Egypt’s government has signed a cooperation protocol with the international Right to Dream Academy to create a national system for identifying and developing promising young footballers.
The agreement includes plans for a network of regional development centres across the country, according to a statement from the Cabinet on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing ceremony, where the protocol was signed by Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil and Right to Dream chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour.
The initiative follows directives issued by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Egypt Forum 2026 to establish a national framework for discovering and nurturing football talent.
Nationwide scouting programme
Nabil said the partnership demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to building an integrated talent development system based on the latest international standards.
The programme will extend scouting operations across Egypt’s governorates, giving young players more opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and pursue international sporting and professional careers.
It will use a nationwide network of impartial scouts working with an international organisation experienced in identifying and developing young footballers. The scheme will also combine sports training with education, with the aim of preparing a new generation capable of representing Egypt in international competitions.
Nabil said the Ministry of Youth and Sports would provide the facilities and resources required to deliver the project and meet its objectives.
Five regional centres
Mansour said five regional development centres would be established in different parts of Egypt in partnership with the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The centres will be built as integrated facilities, with football pitches, fitness halls, classrooms and other educational areas, medical services and accommodation. Their operations will begin in phases.
The wider talent identification programme will use common standards to assess, select and document promising players. Scouts will work in schools, public sports grounds and local competitions, connecting playing areas, scouts and development centres through a single national system.
That approach is intended to widen access to opportunities for young footballers across the governorates.
Players accepted into the centres will receive accredited academic education in coordination with the Ministry of Education. This will allow them to study while undertaking intensive football training in an integrated, full-day environment.
The development pathway will start at an early age and continue towards possible professional careers in Egypt and abroad.
Right to Dream will be responsible for the technical and sporting elements of the project, including talent identification, selection, coaching, assessment and professional career development.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports will provide and equip the facilities, manage their administrative and logistical operations, and ensure accredited education is delivered at the centres.
A joint coordination committee will oversee the implementation of the partnership. The two sides are expected to work towards signing the project’s final agreement in the coming months.
