Sporting Clube de Braga has opened a football academy in China, named “SC Braga Academy Hangzhou, China”, as part of a broader project to expand its presence in the country, the Portuguese club said.

An institutional visit by the club’s Coordinator of the Department of Innovation and Training Promotion, Robin de Sousa, marked the beginning of a long-term strategy in the Chinese market.

According to the club, the visit enabled the establishment of the first in-person contacts with Chinese sporting, institutional and business entities, helped advance new projects and laid the foundations for the internationalisation of the SC Braga brand in the country through the establishment of academies.

Among the first projects to be implemented was the SC Braga Academy Hangzhou, China, in co-operation with Huang Feng FC. The visit also enabled the establishment of new co-operation ties with football organisations in Zhejiang and Beijing YuanSheng Football Club.

The strategy is based on training, talent scouting, training of professionals, sporting exchanges, and the establishment of institutional and commercial relations. The club seeks to build a gradual and sustainable presence in China, taking the SC Braga brand, its identity, training principles and working methodology to different regions and communities within Chinese football.

(Source: CNN Portugal, 8 September)