AC Milan Returns to Sri Lanka for the 2nd edition Advance camp

AC Milan’s partnership with the Colombo Athletic and Football Academy, gathers more traction as it announces the highly anticipated second edition of their AC Milan Academy camp in Sri Lanka, marking the third significant youth football exposure program delivered in just nine months.

This remarkable frequency of world-class training opportunities demonstrates that these initiatives are far from one-off events. Instead, they represent a structured, long-term collaboration between the Colombo Football Academy and AC Milan, designed to create progressive football development pathways for Sri Lankan youth.

September 8th to the 13th 2025, The camp will welcome both boys and girls aged 6-17 years, reinforcing the inclusive approach to youth development. This age range ensures that children at every developmental stage can benefit from AC Milan's renowned training methodologies and experience under certified Rossoneri coache delivered through the Colombo Football Academy's expert local knowledge.

These camps will not only enhance the technical skills of young athletes but also focus on their physical and mental well-being, following a holistic approach based on the AC Milan Method.

It represents another significant step in the global expansion of the Milan Junior Camp project – following a summer that saw the initiative also start in 23 cities across North America and Europe.

The modern game is changing and with the growing new interest among the youth in Sri Lanka, this project will provide a new impetus to the culture of the sport by bringing an established heritage from Europe.

Mr. Ajai Vir Singh, President of Colombo Athletic & Football Club, added: "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."

What we're seeing is unprecedented in Sri Lankan football training," said Mr. Ajai Vir Singh, President of Colombo Athletic & Football Club “Three world-class programs in nine months aren’t coincidence – it's strategic partnership. AC Milan's continued investment proves their commitment to developing not just players, but the culture of sports and football in our country."

Colombo Athletic & Football Club was founded with the key objective of bringing a scientific and systematic approach to sports for the next generation of Sri Lanka, focusing on holistic mind and body development beyond just football.

H.E. Damiano Francovigh, Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka and Maldives, expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “The collaboration between Colombo Athletic and Football Club Academy and AC Milan represents a unique pathway for young footballers in Sri Lanka to pursue their dreams and connect with one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world.” Says HE Damiano Francovigh, Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka. “I believe this partnership will bring Italy and Sri Lanka closer together and inspire new generations of male and female athletes through shared passion, cultural exchange, and mutual ambition. Sport, in this sense, becomes a bridge promoting values such as discipline, inclusion, teamwork, and respect. These are the foundations on which lasting relationships are built, both on and off the field. I look forward to seeing the next feats of this inspiring journey.”

“I feel this project is making great inroads with three international camp exposure, two in Colombo and one in Milan is a first for any institution in Sri Lanka to do that. This is what an an authentic football academy with international collaboration does, it’s a great opportunity for Sri Lankan football and for the youth to dream big.  it's going to help our players future development in football career.” Says Mr Fouzul Hameed, Director, Colombo Athletic and Football Club

Cinnamon Grand Colombo continues its proud role as the official hospitality partner for the second edition of the AC Milan Junior Camps, demonstrating the hotel industry's commitment to supporting sports tourism in Sri Lanka. Mr Nazoomi Azhar, General Manager - Cinnamon Grand Colombo, emphasized this continued partnership: "Cinnamon Grand Colombo remains honoured to support this prestigious initiative for the second time. Our ongoing hospitality partnership with AC Milan and the Colombo Athletic & Football Club showcases Sri Lanka's capacity to host elite international sports programs while positioning our nation as a premier destination for sports tourism and youth development initiatives."

“We focus on exposing our student players to a tried and tested international success format. This has been missing in Sri Lanka. This is a great opportunity to infuse new life into a somewhat moribund sport” says Trevor Reckerman, Director, Colombo Athletic and Football Club

This sustained hospitality partnership not only supports the football program but also highlights Sri Lanka's growing reputation as a destination capable of delivering world-class experiences to international sporting organizations. The collaboration demonstrates how sports development and tourism can work hand-in-hand to benefit the country's broader economic and cultural development.

Prima as a brand has supported in Sri Lanka and with this project “We are excited to partner with globally renowned AC Milan in the rollout of Milan Junior camps in Sri Lanka. We have announced 05 scholarships for this camp. As brand that speaks to youth, we believe in creating opportunities for young aspiring footballers. We hope the camps will inspire the next generation to dream big.” Says Sajith Gunaratne, General Manager, Ceylon Agro Industries, Prima Group Sri Lanka

Colombo Athletic and Football Club has partnered with likeminded brands who share similar values to promote the sport among the next generation of Sri Lanka.  Omega Line, Powertech Cement, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Prima, Servo, Sozo, 3M/Mobil, Hardtalk.

This collaboration between Colombo Football Academy and AC Milan transcends traditional camp formats, representing a sustained commitment to Sri Lankan football development through regular, high-impact programming designed to create lasting change in youth sports culture.

The Colombo Athletic and Football Academy trains thrice week in the heart of Colombo and invites sports enthusiasts to experience the game in a new way.