FC Porto is going to launch its Dragon Force brand in Cape Verde. After projects in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Mexico (Monterrey), and Cyprus, the dragons are now heading to Praia City, on the island of Santiago, where, in partnership with EFAT (Achada Grande Trás Football School Association), a Dragon Force by FC Porto school will be established.
The initiative aims to discover, train, and enhance young Cape Verdean talents, while also qualifying local coaches according to the training methodology of the blues and whites. Created in 2012, EFAT stands out for its community mission, supporting the sports and human development of children and young people and using football as a tool to combat social exclusion.
“Cape Verde was an old wish that was never forgotten,” admitted Ricardo Frey Ramos, executive manager of Dragon Force, emphasizing that EFAT, closely followed since 2016, is “the right partner” for this step. Initially, the focus will be on the sports and pedagogical training of local staff, with the aim of “maximizing the talent and passion that each child experiences with the ball at their feet over the years.”
Rolando, a former central defender for the dragons and currently involved in the club’s youth football, also highlighted the project’s impact: “Cape Verde has enormous natural talent and a very strong passion for football. This project allows for the creation of a solid training base, with methodology, values, and quality support from an early age. It is a unique opportunity for young people and local coaches to grow sustainably, connected to a club with the size and demands of FC Porto.”
