On Saturday, Libya’s Parliament-designated government reached a preliminary agreement with FC Barcelona for a high-profile friendly match to be played in Benghazi, as well as a plan to launch a full-scale sports academy in Libya.
During an official meeting held at FC Barcelona’s headquarters in Spain, Libya’s Minister of Investment, Ali Al-Saeedi Al-Qaidi, met with FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta.
Also attending the meeting was Libyan Member of Parliament Al-Salihin Abdel Nabi.
The discussions centered on strengthening sports cooperation, cultural exchange, and long-term development projects between Libya and the Spanish football giant. The most prominent outcome of the meeting was the initial agreement for FC Barcelona’s first team to play a friendly match at Benghazi International Stadium.
The event would mark a historic moment for Libyan sports, symbolizing a major step toward Libya’s reintegration into the international sports scene.
In addition to the friendly match, both sides reached an understanding on the creation of a comprehensive sports academy in Libya, with technical and administrative backing from FC Barcelona.
The academy would serve as a hub for nurturing young talent across various sports disciplines, supported by Barcelona’s expert trainers and staff.
The talks also covered the launch of the “Barça Experience” project in Libya, an initiative designed to transfer Barcelona’s renowned expertise in sports training, management, and development to Libyan athletes and sports professionals.
The project aims to cultivate a culture of professionalism and modern sports development in Libya.
Libya’s Ministry of Investment described the deal as part of its broader strategic investment plan, which focuses on developing the country’s sports infrastructure, promoting youth engagement, and attracting international partnerships.
Officials emphasized that investing in sports is not just about recreation but also about creating economic opportunities and strengthening national unity. They see this partnership as a platform for advancing Libya’s image abroad and empowering young Libyans through professional sports.
