We recently had the privilege of having a conversation with Mohamad Adlouni, Co-founder and Managing Director of Prime Talent Sports Academy (PTSA), an academy specializing in football training and holistic development of the youth. Passionate about sports management and football alike, Mohamad did his MBA focused on Sports Management from Real Madrid University, instilling him with the expertise required in this field.
His academy, PTSA, develops aspiring young talents with top-notch football training, offered by highly qualified coaches, with a significant emphasis on character building, teamwork, and leadership development. Fostering personal growth while balancing athletic development, Mohamad is building sustainable yet impactful programs in this field, reflecting his passion for the sport and the community as well.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “Tell us something about your career journey.”
Mohamad Adlouni shared, “My journey in football began at a young age, and I have been passionate about the sport throughout my life. I started playing football at the grassroots level, gradually progressing to play at an elite senior level. Along the way, I realized the power of sports to shape character and bring people together. This led me to pursue a Master’s in Sports Management from Real Madrid University, which equipped me with the knowledge to manage and develop sports programs. In 2020, I took the next step and founded PTSA Dubai, a private football academy, with a vision to provide young athletes with more than just football training but a space to grow, both on and off the field.”
Spark Behind PTSA
We asked Mohamad Adlouni to share what inspired him to establish a private football academy in Dubai, and how his background in sports management contributed to the academy’s success.
“I established PTSA Dubai because I saw a gap in the market for a football academy that focuses not just on developing football skills but on building a community and fostering personal growth. With my background in sports management, I’ve been able to create an academy that’s structured to nurture young athletes holistically. The combination of my playing experience and academic expertise allows me to run an academy that balances both athletic development and the business side of sports, ensuring our programs are well-organized, impactful, and sustainable.” Mohamad Adlouni explained.
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Core Values At The Academy
Youth development is central to PTSA Dubai. We posed the question, “What specific values or principles do you instill in young athletes to prepare them both for sports and life?”
Mohamad Adlouni mentioned, “At PTSA Dubai, we instill values such as discipline, teamwork, respect, and a positive mindset. We teach our athletes that success in sports is about more than just talent – it’s about hard work, consistency, and the ability to overcome challenges. We also emphasize the importance of character development, as these values transfer beyond the field.”
Tailored Programs For Different Age Groups
We further asked, “With such a wide age range among your academy’s participants, how do you tailor training programs to meet the unique needs of each age group?”
Mohamad Adlouni responded, “We focus on the four key areas of development at PTSA Dubai: technical, tactical, physical, and psycho-social. We understand that each age group has different physical, emotional, and cognitive needs, so we tailor our approach accordingly. For younger players, we focus on developing their technical abilities, building coordination, and fostering a love for the game. We ensure this through repetition. By repeating fundamental techniques in various fun and engaging ways, we create an environment where players can gain confidence, improve their abilities, and develop a strong passion for football. As players grow older and progress in their development, we introduce more advanced techniques, tactical awareness, and mental conditioning.
Our coaching staff is trained to adapt drills and lessons based on both age and level, ensuring that training is not only age-appropriate but also challenging enough to support growth in all four areas. This approach allows us to provide a comprehensive program that evolves with each player’s development, covering technical skills, fitness, tactical understanding, and the psycho-social aspects of positive attitude and leadership.”
Shaping The Leaders Of Tomorrow
To learn Mohamad Adlouni’s perspective on the role of sports in building a stronger, more resilient generation, we asked him to share his vision of how his academy is shaping future leaders both on and off the field.
“Sports play a vital role in building resilience by teaching young athletes how to handle both victory and defeat. They learn valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, which are important for overcoming challenges in all areas of life. At PTSA Dubai, we believe that sports can shape future leaders by instilling confidence, accountability, and a sense of responsibility. We encourage our athletes to set goals, work hard to achieve them, and become leaders within the academy and their communities. We aim to develop athletes who are not only strong on the field but also ready to lead in all aspects of life.” Mohamad Adlouni reflected.
Overcoming Major Challenges
While running an academy, Mohamad has come across his share of challenges inevitable in the field. We asked him to share the biggest challenges he faced in developing young talent, and how he overcame these obstacles within the academy.
Mohamad Adlouni explained, “The major challenges we face in developing young talent are a lack of consistency and motivation, as well as unrealistic expectations about personal goals and objectives. Many young players aspire to be the next Messi, but not everyone truly understands the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices it takes to reach that level. We work to address this by helping our players set realistic, achievable goals while encouraging consistency and a growth mindset. They need to understand that success in football, like any other field, is a journey that requires time, effort, and a genuine commitment to improvement.”
Emerging Trends Of Youth Sports
As a sports management professional, we inquired Mohamad Adlouni about the trends emerging in youth sports, particularly in Dubai, and how PTSA Dubai is adapting to the same.
Mohamad Adlouni mentioned, “In Dubai, we are seeing an increased focus on fitness, health, and wellness, with more emphasis on holistic development in youth sports. Parents and athletes are becoming more conscious of the importance of mental health and physical well-being. At PTSA Dubai, we have adapted by incorporating fitness programs that support both athletic and mental growth, such as strength and conditioning, mindfulness, and injury prevention. We also see a growing trend towards technology in training.
We are actively investing in sports technology to enhance the development of our players. For example, we use the VEO camera to film games and training sessions, capturing valuable footage that helps analyze player performance. This technology allows us to provide detailed feedback to our players, enabling them to visualize their progress and identify areas for improvement.”
Holistic Development Approach At PTSA Dubai
We asked, “In addition to athletic training, does your academy focus on other aspects of development, such as character building, teamwork, or leadership?”
“Absolutely. At PTSA Dubai, we place significant emphasis on character building, teamwork, and leadership development. Football is a team sport, and we believe in developing players who are strong team players both on and off the field. We instill qualities like leadership, communication, and respect, which are critical for personal and professional growth.” Mohamad Adlouni added.
Envisioning The Future
We ended the interview by asking, “What is your vision for the academy over the next few years? How do you plan to expand or enhance the programs to have an even greater impact on youth development in Dubai?”
“Looking ahead, I envision PTSA Dubai continuing to grow as a leading academy for youth development in Dubai, with a focus on fostering a sustainable football community. We plan to expand our facilities, enhance our coaching staff, and offer more specialized training programs in areas like fitness, leadership, and sports psychology. We also aim to build more partnerships with schools and local clubs to provide broader opportunities for young athletes. Ultimately, I want PTSA Dubai to be known not only for developing talented football players but for nurturing well-rounded individuals who go on to make a positive impact in their communities, both on and off the field.” Mohamad Adlouni concluded.
Follow Mohamad Adlouni on LinkedIn.
Find PTSA Dubai on LinkedIn.
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