January 2007
The Academy of the Ivory Coast is closing down. Those of Madagascar and Thailand have been operational since 2001 and 2005 respectively. The Academy in Mali is just about to open when Mr. Maged SAMI, a football lover already contracted to the Arsenal’s youth side, happens to hear about the principle of the JMG Academy. He shows immediate interest and gets in touch early in 2007. He proves to be a quick decision-maker and Sport is his business. He already runs a club in Egypt and is likely to have other ambitions in football. Initial recruitment begins as early as January 2007.
August 2007
Opening of temporary infrastructure facilities which, once completed, will accommodate the first 6 players selected in October 2007.
October 2007
The small group begins its first training sessions. Mustapha KHAROUBI, Technical Director, who, with either Vincent DUFOUR or JM GUILLOU, was involved in all the various recruitment stages, is hard at work.
November 2007
Another player joins the group of 6. Numbers are still low at only 7 as recruitment in Egypt proves difficult. This leads to a possibly more effective and stricter coaching method by the coach vis-à-vis his protégés. Participation in the “Danone Cup” gives the team the chance to outshine all others without too much effort under the admiring gaze of Z. ZIDANE.
March – April 2009
Following various searches for new talent, 3 more players join the ranks. The team, now numbering 10 players, can participate in small matches against outside opponents who invariably leave after a serious hammering !
June – July 2009
A tour to Thailand takes place which sees very exciting matches against the home team Second Selection.
June – July 2010
The first tour to Thailand has renewed our urge to tour again. This time, it is to Vietnam and Thailand where, again, and possibly even more so than the previous year, the matches are fantastic. Good spirit prevails throughout despite the competitive determination of each player during the games. But the time to leave soon arrives, full of nostalgia…
August 2010
As the First Selection loses a player, final trials are organized to find the core of the Second Selection, by the end of which 6 players are selected. Indeed, recruitment in Egypt is proving difficult but the quality of the players definitely greatly compensates for the absence of numbers. The road ahead is a long one but history is being made…...
