A group of Burkinabe football club presidents recently visited Amsterdam to observe Ajax’s facilities and discuss future prospects for developing young local footballers.
The delegation, led by retired Colonel-Major Yacouba Ouédraogo, took part in a significant visit that included attending an Ajax-NAC Breda match, which ended with a 3-1 victory for the Dutch side.
The visit, which took place over the weekend, was seen as an opportunity for the Burkinabe leaders to explore one of Europe’s premier football clubs and learn from Ajax’s renowned youth development system.
The delegation, consisting of around ten club officials, was warmly welcomed by Burkinabe international and Ajax player Bertrand Traoré.
Traoré, who has been playing in Europe for over 14 years, expressed his gratitude to the visitors and hopes that their support could lead to better opportunities for other young Burkinabe players.
The trip was organized by David Traoré and coordinated by Patrick Zoundi, and included a tour of the Ajax stadium, as well as a tribute to Bertrand Traoré’s successful career.
The footage of the visit, shared by Burkinabe journalist L’Assina Sawadogo, captured the group’s admiration for the world-class infrastructure at Ajax’s facilities, which could serve as a model for future developments in Burkina Faso’s football academies.
Yacouba Ouédraogo, the founder of Salitas Football Club and former Minister of Sports in Burkina Faso, highlighted the importance of the visit.
He spoke of the value of seeing first-hand the level of professionalism and quality associated with Ajax’s youth development system, which has produced some of the world’s top football talent.
“We just had a real visit to the Ajax stadium in Amsterdam. Of course, with our 3XL guide, Bertrand Traoré, the captain of the Stallions,” Ouédraogo explained. “We really saw it; it’s a great place, with good infrastructure. It will also inspire the club presidents who are there.”
Ouédraogo emphasized that the visit was not just a chance to pay homage to Traoré but a learning opportunity for all those involved.
He believes that the experience will motivate Burkinabe club presidents to innovate and improve their own youth development centers.
“It’s always good when we visit places like this because we can use them as reference points and examples.
We all hope to have, even if it’s a small center, a well-built center with all the amenities of a large stadium like this,” he added.
The significance of this visit goes beyond just a trip to a top European club. For Burkina Faso’s football leaders, it represents a potential turning point in their efforts to enhance the quality of football infrastructure at home.
By witnessing the standard set by Ajax, the Burkinabe officials are inspired to ensure that their local academies have the necessary conditions to nurture future football stars. This could prove to be a vital step in producing international-caliber players who can compete on the global stage.
The visit also provided an opportunity for collaboration. Ouédraogo noted that the club presidents would report back to their colleagues who remained in Burkina Faso, sharing the insights gained from the trip.
The overall aim is to ensure that future generations of Burkinabe footballers are trained in facilities that match international standards. As Ouédraogo pointed out,
“It will inspire the club presidents here. And we will also, in turn, give a little report to our colleagues who stayed there. It is truly an example that we must follow.”
This visit to Ajax’s state-of-the-art facilities is expected to serve as a catalyst for change in Burkina Faso’s football landscape.
By investing in better infrastructure and focusing on youth development, the country could begin producing the next generation of players capable of making a mark on the international stage.
