Young football academy students restore hope to Algerians

[Al-khiyal]

Young football academy students restore hope to Algerians

February 27, 2009 -- Every Thursday, hundreds of football fans meet in Hydra municipal stadium (central Algiers) to admire the incredible play of barefoot kids attending the Paradou Athletic Club's JMG Football Academy. Barely 12 or 14 years old, these youngsters - dubbed the "virtuosi of the beautiful game" by the Algerian press - have quickly become a real phenomenon, drawing as big a crowd in the stands as any first division club and restoring hope in the future of Algerian football.

The admiration of the spectators, who sometime travel from Algiers’ neighbouring wilayas, is all the greater because of how the Paradou students play: barefoot, on a dried up pitch and without a goalkeeper.

The Paradou boys have become so good that players in their own age categories are unable to keep pace. They have to play junior squads. And when they do, they often win – by wide margins. They defeated USM Koléa 9-0, NARB Réghaia 16-1 and CRB 6-1.

Admirers are left open-mouthed with amazement. The young players' prowess has prompted much discussion in Algerian homes, offices and on the street.

"With these little ones, you can finally hope that one day you will see Algeria become world football champions. Their play is a real sight for sore eyes. Fluid, disciplined, and with unbelievable talent, the number 8 is a magician. They can hold their heads up high alongside Zidane or Benzema,'" said Madjid, a 40-ish businessman and a great follower of football.

The programme got under way just two years ago.

Jean-Marc Guillou is a former French international who captained his national side at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. After his retirement, he set up the Abidjan football school, (where he discovered Cote d'Ivoire brothers Kolo and Yaya Touré, who now play for Arsenal and FC Barcelona) before going on to open other football academies in Africa and Asia.

Kerridine Zetchi is an Algerian football fan who was getting tired, he told DZ Foot, of waiting for the government to help clubs train young football talent.

In 2007, the two joined forces to open a training centre bearing Guillou's name - the Paradou/JMG Academy - and forever changed the face of Algerian football.

The school's inaugural class of 16 students was chosen from 20,000 candidates across Algeria. School officials have been delighted by the youngsters' serious approach and desire to learn. One thing took some adjustment for the youngsters, however: no shoes.

Their trainers say that making them play barefoot improves their technique.

'These are boys who weigh 30 kilograms. Add boots, socks and shin pads, and that will really weigh them down," says Olivier Guillou, nephew of the academy founder and manager of the Algiers school.

"It's only here that it comes as a surprise," he adds. In the rest of Africa, it’s completely normal for players their age to play barefoot. If you want a technically gifted player, he only has to play barefoot; it allows the youngster to kick the ball cleanly and precisely and with much greater sensitivity."

As to why the children play without a goalkeeper, the academy’s managers say that since it is unclear how big their players will be in a few years’ time, it is too risky to train youngsters of this age for such a sensitive job.

In their residence hall - a villa in the western suburbs of Algiers - academy students awaken at 7 in the morning, then head to the stadium for two hours of practice. After a few hours of lessons and a siesta, they’re at it again: training until 5 or 6 in the evening. After dinner, they pursue other activities or watch TV until "lights-out" at 10 o’clock. Two women look after their well-being at the villa. There is also an education manager, a house supervisor and a driver.

"It’s like a brotherhood," explains assistant coach Aich Djamel, who is with the boys 16 hours a day. "They do almost everything together."

Some students already dream of getting signed by a European side. "The reason I’m in this academy is because I’m ambitious. I’m working my socks off with my classmates to be a good football player," says Abderaouf Benguit, who has come to Algiers from Laghouat.

"My dream is to play in the Champions League with Real [Madrid], and I’ll do everything to get there," he tells Magharebia.

More than anything, these youngsters dream about putting on an Algeria shirt and restoring Algerian football to its former glory. There is a clause in their contract – which runs for ten years – banning them from wearing the colours of another country.

On February 6th, a new wave of youngsters born between 1996 and 1998 began try-outs for spots at the Paradou Academy. "There’s no limit on numbers. The current team has 16, but for the next, even if we find 40 who meet our criteria, we’ll take them all,” says Olivier Guillou.

The academy has a capacity of 80 places. Competition is tough.

"These youngsters make people happy. It’s like a party on the stands," Said tells Magharebia as he watches his son audition in Hydra. "You don’t find that in stadiums. There’s far too much violence; I can’t even take my children there."

"Thanks to this team", he adds, "Algerians are returning to the spirit of the sport."

"I haven’t seen people so enthusiastic since 1982."

Said will have to wait, however, to learn if his son made the cut. Academy officials say only that the final selection will be announced "soon".

One young Algerian is already on his way to a stellar football career. Ever since British newspaper The Sun introduced the world to Madin Mohamed last week, bloggers and sports enthusiasts around the world have been calling the 6-year-old football prodigy the "next Zinedine Zidane".

More than a million people have watched the video clip of his prowess on the pitch.

Mohamed, who emigrated to France with his family three years ago, has received a scholarship from the French Football Federation (FFF), while scouts from Real Madrid and Chelsea FC are reportedly tracking his progress.

"He can cross the ball, control it, swerve, pass between the legs — he is spectacular with the ball... he really is magic with it," The Sun quoted his local club president as saying.

This is not the first time international football fame has come to such a young player. In 2007, Manchester United signed nine-year-old Rhain Davis after the club saw him in action on a DVD sent by his grandfather.

For the talented youngsters accepted by Paradou AC –and their supportive parents – the first steps to football stardom have only just begun.

Zizou, here they come.

[Al-khiyal]

Paradou AC hosts international youth football in Algiers

June 23, 2009 -- An international junior football tournament sponsored by Algeria's Paradou AC kicked off on Monday (June 22nd) in the Algiers suburb of Hydra, DZ Foot reported. Algerian clubs ASM Oran, CABBA, CS Constantine, JSK, lMSP Batna, USM Bel-Abbès, US Biskra, WA Tlemcen will be joined for the 3-day event by Tunisia's Club Africain and ES Sahel, Villareal of Spain and Morocco's Hassania d'Agadir.

[Al-khiyal]

Académie Paradou-JMG :
Prospection à l'Ouest

Dimanche 21 Mars 2010 -- Les responsables de l'académie «Paradou-Jean Marc Guillou», la première structure de formation professionnelle de football, effectueront une tournée à l'Ouest pour dénicher de jeunes talents nés en 1996, 1997, 1998 et 1999, susceptibles d'intégrer l'académie. Placée sous le signe de ‘'tente ta chance» cette prospection touchera près de cinq wilayate de l'Oranie. Après Sidi Bel-Abbès, ce sera au tour des jeunes footballeurs de Tlemcen dans la matinée et Hammam Bou-Hadjar dans l'après-midi qui seront testés par le responsable de la formation Guillou Olivier. Ce dernier sera demain à 15 h avec son staff au stade Habib Bouakeul pour la même opération de prospection pour les jeunes issus des clubs et associations d'Oran, et l'après-midi au stade Kerbouci Menaouar d'Arzew. Mostaganem sera la dernière étape de cette prospection qui commencera vers 10 h. À noter que les jeunes sélectionnés subiront un dernier test à Alger avant d'intégrer l'Académie.

[Al-khiyal]

Paradou Football Academy trains tomorrow's stars

May 7, 2010 -- It's Thursday night at Hydra municipal stadium in the heart of Algiers and seats are filled to capacity for a football match. Bright lights illuminate the pitch, fireworks explode with every goal and fans roar with delight or dismay over the action on the field. Someday, all these players will likely be national or international stars. Right now, in practice, they are barefoot boys. They train not only without shoes, but also without a goalkeeper. This training makes them stand up well against full teams of well-shod, older opponents; it makes their matches more exciting to watch than many D1 elite clubs. Fans say the fast action, with what is often a 10-goal difference, seems like a video game.

In 2007, the country was having a hard time producing home-grown talent. Paradou Academy set out to change that. "We thought of creating a new project to serve Algerian football, and we chose the academy, because we strongly believe Algeria was lacking the proper training for football players," Paradou AC president Kheireddine Zetchi told Magharebia. Zetchi teamed up with former French international Jean-Marc Guillou to open the Paradou Athletic Club's JMG Football Academy. Guillou, who had already set up football schools in Africa and Asia, aimed to do the same thing for Algeria.

"Paradou Club took the initiative and the hard – but essential – path," Zetchi said. Between July and August 2007, the French footballer travelled across Algeria in search of talented youngsters between 12 and 14 years old. Sixteen teens were chosen from 20,000 candidates. One of those lucky enough to make the cut was Mehdi Derouiche. Now 15 and one of the best players at Paradou Academy, playing for a major European or Arab league someday is no longer a mere dream. "I worked hard to convince the coach during the selection period, and I was confident I would prove myself, because thanks to Allah, I am gifted in soccer," he says. "I was so happy to play in the ranks of the academy, especially that I found all the care, hospitality and the appropriate conditions to excel. Thanks also to my father, who encouraged me to play." For his part, Mehdi's father is now in a position of having to think about his 15-year-old son moving to Europe. "Barcelona and Arsenal officials were interested in my son, but Coach Guillou advised me not to rush, and to allow my son to develop more skills. He and the academy officials promised they would assist Mehdi in becoming a professional player. This is my hope and my family’s, and it will benefit Algerian football," he says.

After hand-picking Mehdi and other future football stars, Guillou decided that they would train without shoes. "In our opinion, the player who interacts with the ball with bare feet can easily play and control it when he is wearing shoes," said Ali Lafri, the Paradou sports director. Olivier Guillou, nephew of the academy founder and manager of the Algiers school, noted that while playing football barefoot might have seemed odd to many in Algeria, it is a common practice for youngsters in the rest of Africa. "If you want a technically gifted player, he only has to play barefoot; it allows the youngster to kick the ball cleanly and precisely and with much greater sensitivity," he told Magharebia. Young academy students also play without a goalkeeper. The defence protects the goal without being allowed to touch the ball. It is a difficult task, trainers admit, but it sure polishes players' skills.

They train several hours a day, seven days a week. In the three years since the facility was launched, the Paradou boys have become so good that players in their own age categories are unable to keep pace. They now have to play junior squads. Paradou management provides the young athletes with a residence hall, meals, transportation, and an allowance. The boys also benefit from a customized educational programme, including language instruction. And they play to a packed stadium every Thursday night. Public attendance at the weekly matches "makes me proud as a team leader", Paradou co-founder Zetchi told Magharebia. "We were expecting the sports ministry's support, which did not happen," he added, "but I am content that I have public support, because I am convinced the project will serve Algerian soccer."

The football school requires the players to complete the entire 5-year programme before turning pro or moving to a club-run training course. "We focus on training the players, and if there is a demand for their services, there will be a negotiation with the leagues, whether in Algeria or abroad, Olivier Guillou says, noting that graduates of other academies in Africa founded by his uncle are well-known. "There are several names, like Yahya Touré, who plays for Barcelona; his brother Kolo Touré, who plays for Manchester City; Emmanuel Eboue, who plays for Arsenal; Salomon Kalou from Chelsea; Bakary Kone from Olympique Marseille and Aruna Dindane of Lens," he tells Magharebia. "I do not rule out the presence of players from Paradou Academy in the major leagues in Europe," he adds.

The young players know that they are getting an education in more than just their sport. "The most important things I've learned at the academy are humility and hard work," 15-year-old striker Abdellah Lemoudaa tells Magharebia. "We learn discipline, respect for our rivals and respect for each other." "It's true that I wish to play for a great league someday, but not at the moment. I am still young, and I have a lot more to learn in the academy." And when he is finally ready to make his mark, he knows exactly what he wants to achieve. The academy founder's dream of boosting Algeria football seems to be taking hold in the young football talents. "I want to play for a major league and honour Algeria, the Maghreb, and the whole Arab nation," Abdellah says.

[Al-khiyal]

Ces petits cracks qui font rêver les Algériens

Jeudi 10 Juin 2010 -- Chaque jeudi, le stade d’Hydra, quartier huppé d’Alger, fait le plein. Jeunes, vieux, ils sont plusieurs milliers à venir voir ces joueurs (douze à quatorze ans) aux pieds nus affronter sans complexe des rivaux mieux armés, portant des chaussures à crampons, et souvent plus âgés. Avec à la clé des victoires avec des scores élevés contre des équipes cadettes des clubs de la 1re division algérienne. Un jeu à une touche de balle, sans gardien de but, afin de leur permettre de mieux défendre et offrir au porteur de ballon plusieurs solutions, explique Olivier Guillou, neveu de Jean-Marc Guillou, qui avait lancé la première académie de football en 1994 à Abidjan en Côte d’Ivoire. Les stars ivoiriennes Yahia Touré (Barça), Kolo Touré (Manchester City), Bakary Koné (Marseille) et tant d’autres ont été enfantées par cette école.

En Algérie, l’idée de créer la même école revient à Kheiredinne Zetchi, jeune président du Paradou Athlétic Club, club de 2e division algérienne, qui vient d’accéder au statut professionnel le 25 mai dernier. Las d’attendre que les instances du football algérien se décident à se pencher sérieusement sur les petites catégories, il prend contact avec Jean-Marc Guillou pour doter son club d’un centre de formation. Le financement est assuré par des fonds privés. En février 2007, les deux hommes signent une convention de création d’une école de football sur le modèle de celle d’Abidjan. Six mois plus tard, en septembre, elle entre en fonction sous la direction d’Olivier Guillou. Au terme d’une prospection de soixante jours à travers l’Algérie, une vingtaine de gamins, âgés de douze à quatorze ans sont choisis parmi des milliers d’autres. Ils sont totalement pris en charge, nourris et logés. Outre les entraînements – trois heures par jour réparties en plusieurs séances – ils suivent un enseignement assuré par cinq professeurs. Au terme de leur formation, les futures stars signent un engagement comportant un transfert vers les clubs européens avec cependant une clause leur faisant obligation de ne porter plus tard que le maillot national algérien.

La réputation de ces petits génies du football a dépassé les frontières algériennes. Outre la télé algérienne, TF1, TVE, Al Djazira, la BBC leur ont consacré des reportages. Des observateurs du Barça, de Manchester United sont venus voir ces gamins pratiquant pieds nus un football spectaculaire et efficace. « Pieds nus, c’est pour muscler leurs petites jambes », assure Guillou  ! Qui plus est, ils sont invités dans des tournois. Tout récemment, en Ukraine, ils ont rencontré les minimes du Dynamo de Kiev qu’ils ont battu par 10 buts à 1  ! C’est dire  ! Olivier Guillou couve ses petits prodiges comme ses enfants, les met à l’abri de toute médiatisation excessive. Certes, ils l’écoutent, suivent ses consignes à la lettre, mais ils sont déjà dans la peau de vrais professionnels et se prennent à rêver. Certains se voient bien à Marseille, d’autres à Liverpool, voire Barcelone. Suivant l’exemple, le Maroc a créé en mars dernier à Salé, l’Académie 
Mohamed-VI, doté d’un budget de 13 millions d’euros  !

[Al-khiyal]

Paradou Academy team draw with Barca

May 13, 2011 -- The Paradou Academy team held FC Barcelona's U-17 side to a nil-nil draw, DZfoot reported on Thursday (May 12th). The young Algerian players are currently on a short tour of Spain. Another game is scheduled for Saturday against Villareal.