AC Milan and CAFC join forces to conduct specialised training camps in Sri Lanka
The football landscape in Sri Lanka has received a significant boost with the entry of one of the world’s most iconic clubs—AC Milan. In a landmark partnership, AC Milan has joined forces with Colombo Athletics and Football Club (CAFC) to conduct specialised training camps for junior footballers, setting the stage for a new era
in Sri Lanka’s football development.
The Rossoneri, as AC Milan is famously known, boasts a footballing legacy dating back to 1899. With a history rich in triumphs and a reputation for nurturing world-class talent, their arrival in Sri Lanka is a momentous occasion. This collaboration has been made possible by the concerted efforts of CAFC, a newly established football academy spearheaded by an expatriate Indian entrepreneur, Ajay Vir Singh. Alongside him are two local football stalwarts, Trevor Reckerman, a former player and Secretary General of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), and Fouzul Hammed, a seasoned player and administrator with deep ties to Zahira College and multiple local clubs. Their combined expertise and commitment have facilitated AC Milan’s engagement in Sri Lanka, starting with a series of football camps in Colombo, Jaffna, and Galle over the next fortnight.
AC Milan coaching team
“I’ve already seen, in these few days, with the coaches, with the staff, with the owner of the club we partnered, with for the athlete in Sri Lanka, how much serious is the project, how much serious is the intention to develop football in Sri Lanka, and how much there is passion for the game,” said Davide Battistini, Academy coach of AC Milan, at a press conference held in Colombo on Thursday to announce the launch of the programme.
“We all know that AC Milan represents a heritage in the world of football. I’m very proud to be here, to have the possibility to bring my experience and the experience of a club that have hundreds of years in football, with incredible successes in the past and hopefully in the future too,” he added.
Despite Sri Lanka’s turbulent football history, the country has managed to maintain its FIFA recognition, and the sport is gradually regaining momentum. With an influx of expatriate Sri Lankan players and an international coach at the helm, signs of revival are beginning to surface. Furthermore, the rise of football academies—particularly within international schools—has fueled a growing interest in the sport, particularly among children aged 5 to 15. Football, often perceived as the ‘poor man’s sport,’ is now attracting a new demographic, reshaping its identity in Sri Lanka.
AC Milan’s entry into this evolving football culture is groundbreaking. Unlike other academies that borrow the branding of elite European clubs without official affiliations, AC Milan brings with it the credibility of a globally renowned football institution. Their partnership with CAFC ensures that aspiring footballers will receive elite-level training under a meticulously crafted curriculum. The initiative kicked off with a three-day ‘Train the Trainer’ programme led by AC Milan mentor Davide Battistini, laying the groundwork for the upcoming football camps, which will see over 100 young talents honing their skills under expert guidance.
“This is the start of a new era of football and sports education in Sri Lanka. AC Milan brings their 125-year heritage and success story in the form of a holistic training structure for our next generation. This will open doors for boys and girls aged 5 to 17 to reach their fullest potential, introducing a systematic approach to sports that covers nutrition, mental health, strength training, and more,” said Ajai Vir Singh, President of CAFC.
For parents, this partnership presents a golden opportunity. With AC Milan’s direct involvement, young Sri Lankan players could gain access to further training in Europe, potentially opening doors to professional football careers.
At the official media launch, CAFC’s directors, alongside Italian Ambassador Damiano Francovigh, underscored the significance of this collaboration. The business community has also thrown its weight behind the initiative, securing substantial sponsorships to ensure the project’s sustainability. The former FFSL Technical Director Demodaran Chandrasiri and his team are expected to play a key role in the CAFC academy under AC Milan’s guidance, however, they were not introduced or recognised.