Published : 29 Apr 2025, 04:45 PM
The following piece is sponsored content
The upcoming arrival of the prestigious Barça Academy for a week-long training camp at International School Dhaka (ISD) has generated significant excitement within Bangladesh's football community. However, with participation fees ranging from Tk 44,000 to 56,000, the opportunity remains financially out of reach for many talented young players, particularly those from rural and suburban areas where football talent often flourishes.
Recognising this barrier, Azim Nowaz Khan, creator of the popular football-focused YouTube channel “Talking Tikitaka”, has announced a special initiative to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent a truly deserving young player from benefiting from this unique coaching experience. Khan, a passionate FC Barcelona supporter whose channel (launched in October 2022) centres around the Catalan club, is personally funding a spot for one gifted young footballer to attend the Barça Academy camp completely free of charge.
"Football talent is abundant across Bangladesh, especially in areas outside the major cities where opportunities like this are rare and often unaffordable," said Azim. "As a Barça faithful, I believe in the club's philosophy of nurturing talent. This initiative, through 'Talking Tikitaka', aims to give a fair shot to a promising young player who has the skill and passion but lacks the financial means to attend."
To identify this talent, “Talking Tikitaka” is collaborating with Next Level Sports Management (NLSM). A dedicated selection camp will be organised, overseen entirely by NLSM's AFC (Asian Football Confederation) certified coaches. These experienced professionals will evaluate participants based on merit, ensuring a fair and transparent process to find one standout player who will receive the sponsored spot.
This initiative highlights a commitment to grassroots football development and seeks to provide a pathway for talent that might otherwise go unnoticed due to economic hurdles. The goal is to find raw potential and offer an unparalleled opportunity for development under the methodology of one of the world's most famous football clubs.
Further details regarding the dates, venue, and application process for the “Talking Tikitaka” selection camp will be announced soon through the “Talking Tikitaka” Facebook channel and associated social media platforms.
Azim launched “Talking Tikitaka” in October 2022 as a digital content channel dedicated to FC Barcelona and football analysis, catering to the passionate football fanbase in Bangladesh. Next Level Sports Management is a sports management organisation focused on talent identification and development in Bangladesh, employing certified coaching professionals to nurture aspiring athletes.