SL Benfica and Mauritius Football Association sign partnership

Sport Lisboa e Benfica and the Mauritius Football Association signed a technical partnership agreement on Tuesday, October 19, which will last for eight years.

The project foresees the full-time presence of a Benfica's technical coordinator in the Mauritius Football Association, to adapt the methodologies and the experience of Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the organization of youth football in the Republic of Mauritius. The same technical coordinator will also collaborate with the partner in the implementation and development of the national coach training program among the members of the Mauritius Football Association.

On Benfica's side, the signing of the partnership at the Benfica SAD's facilities in Estádio da Luz was attended by the Club's CEO Domingos Soares de Oliveira and Bernardo Faria de Carvalho (executive director responsible for the expansion of the Benfica brand), Simão Sabrosa (director for International Relations), Fernando Pinto (director of sports projects in youth football), Davide Gomes (project manager for innovation and development in youth football) and Hugo Ribeiro (manager of international business development of SL Benfica).

Speaking to BTV, Domingos Soares de Oliveira revealed the broad outlines of a partnership that he believes will benefit both sides.

"This partnership is part of our international expansion project. We believe that Benfica's know-how in the areas of youth and professional football are particular and internationally recognized assets. This is the eighth country where we have our brand. This project is different from the more traditional one in which we open a school. Here, we bring the technical know-how and we are sure that, both for Benfica and for the country [Mauritius], it will be a win-win situation", he claimed.

Representing the Mauritius Football Association at the Benfica SAD were Vikash Mootooveeren (vice-president), Cyril Mourgine (chairman and executive member of the Women’s Football development committee), Eddy Rose (manager of the Training and High Performance Center of the MFA) and Archad Burahee (BestWay Soccer director).

The vice-president of the Mauritius Football Association explained the reasons for this strategic partnership with the Club.

"The experience of Benfica, their talented youngsters and the development and method used for football are aspects that we will try to learn so that Benfica can help us in the future, in order to improve our level and compete with other nationals teams from Africa", declared Vikash Mootooveeren.

Archad Burahee is the BestWay Soccer director and was the agent who helped to establish this partnership between the reds and Republic of Mauritius.

"In fact, Benfica is a famous club, with great History. Benfica has the experience, the knowledge, and the ability to develop players who might play at any club. The project will try to help in the development of every player and not only the ones with the national team. This is the best project and Benfica showed interest in working with Mauritius. We strongly believe in this project", he affirmed.