"The Center" Renewed Partnership with "Loyac"

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) has renewed its sponsorship of the LOYAK “AC Milan” Football Academy in Kuwait for the 2026–2027 sports season, continuing a strategic partnership that has been in place since 2009, in line with its commitment to building human capacity and empowering youth.

The partnership has resulted in the training of more than 1,400 young players within a professional environment that adopts an internationally accredited training methodology, under the supervision of qualified coaches.

The academy also provides players with opportunities to participate in tournaments organized by AC Milan in Italy, offering them competitive experiences that extend beyond local training. The academy’s team was the first from the Arab world to participate in the International Youth Peace Cup in Italy, and the academy has since maintained its presence in subsequent editions, achieving high rankings in several age categories.

Dina Al-Rafai, Executive Vice President and Head of Wealth Management and Business Development at Markaz, stated: “Our long-standing partnership with LOYAK exemplifies Markaz’s approach to building long-term community partnerships that deliver sustainable impact. We believe that investing in youth begins by providing opportunities that help them discover their potential, develop their talents, and expand their aspirations. Sports play a crucial role in this journey, as they instill discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and a continuous drive for improvement.”

She added: “After 17 seasons of supporting the academy, we are proud of the impact it has had on the lives of generations of young players, and of the experiences it has provided them that extend beyond the pitch, contributing to shaping their personalities and boosting their confidence in their abilities. At Markaz, we continue to support initiatives that invest in youth potential and provide them with space for growth and excellence, thereby helping to prepare an ambitious generation capable of actively contributing to Kuwait’s future.”

For her part, Farah Al-Saggar, Chairwoman of LOYAK, said: “The continuity of our partnership with Markaz has enabled us to develop the academy season after season, providing a comprehensive training experience that gives players the opportunity to learn, grow, and measure their progress within a professional framework. It has also helped expand their opportunities to participate in international tournaments and interact with players from diverse backgrounds, which are important experiences in their sporting and personal journeys. The partnership reflects the complementary roles of the private sector and civil society organizations, and we look forward to continuing to develop the academy and extending its impact to more players in the coming seasons.”