The Ivorian Football Federation has revealed the first visual renderings of its future National Football Technical Centre in Gbavé, offering a glimpse into what is expected to become a cornerstone of the country’s sporting development.
Located near Grand-Bassam, the new centre will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for the training and advancement of Ivorian football, spanning all categories from youth to senior level.
This ambitious project underscores the Federation’s commitment to long-term investment in infrastructure, talent development, and the overall professionalisation of the sport in the country.
The unveiled images showcase a modern complex that includes several football pitches, residential quarters, medical and rehabilitation facilities, as well as administrative offices and meeting spaces.
Designed to meet international standards, the centre is expected to accommodate training camps for national teams, coaching courses, and technical workshops.
“This centre is not just about bricks and mortar,” said an official from the Ivorian Football Federation. “It symbolises our vision for the future of Ivorian football – structured, modern, and competitive at the highest level.”
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to decentralise football development and ensure that all regions of the country benefit from access to world-class facilities.
Once completed, the Gbavé centre will join a growing list of national academies across Africa aiming to harness young talent through structured programmes and scientific methods of training.
Beyond its sporting function, the complex is also expected to serve as a venue for sports science research and player performance analysis – an area increasingly central to modern football.
Educational and social components will also be integrated into the project to foster a holistic development environment for young athletes.
The announcement comes at a time when the national team, the Elephants, are seeking to reclaim their position among the continent’s elite, with renewed focus on youth development following recent international campaigns.
The Federation believes the new centre will play a crucial role in sustaining a pipeline of talent capable of competing on the global stage.
While a completion date has not yet been officially announced, the project is already being hailed as a major step forward for Ivorian football.
The first renderings have generated significant excitement among supporters, many of whom see the Gbavé complex as a symbol of the country’s footballing ambitions for years to come.
