The Hong Kong Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) is proud to celebrate a major milestone with the recognition of the FIFA Talent Academy in Hong Kong, China, dedicated exclusively to U12 girls. This is the first girls-only FIFA Talent Academy to be recognised globally, and the second such milestone event in Asia.

This recognition is part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS), led by Arsène Wenger, which aims to raise the level of national team football around the world. Hong Kong, China now joins a select group of seven active FIFA Talent Academies in Asia, and over 30 worldwide, with a goal of reaching 75 by 2027.

The focus of the academy is to provide a high-quality training environment for young girls, combining football development with education and personal growth. The U12 girls involved have shown strong commitment and potential, and the academy is helping them build a solid foundation for future success in the sport.

“This academy is a proud step forward for Hong Kong football,” said Mr. PUI Kwan Kay, SBS, BBS, MH, the President of HKFA. “It shows our commitment to developing young talent and creating equal opportunities for girls in the game.”

Mr. Eric FOK, JP, the Chairman of HKFA added, “We’re honoured to host the world’s first girls-only FIFA Talent Academy. Our U12 girls are already showing what’s possible when we invest early and believe in their future.”

“The FIFA Talent Development scheme is specifically geared towards the improvement of a country’s technical football development strategy, providing them with expert guidance to help ensure that every talented player is given a clear and sustainable pathway to develop to their full potential.” said FIFA High Performance Specialist April Heinrichs.

“This is a major milestone event for young girls’ football development, as it is the first celebration of a girls-only FIFA Talent Academy. We are aiming to provide the best possible playing environment for the girls by introducing regular training programs, with an emphasis on individual development at this stage, and work with the HKFA to ensure more full-time and support coaches dedicated to the women’s teams.”

One of the practical objectives of the TDS is to establish 75 elite Talent Academies – run by FIFA and the respective host FIFA Member Association – around the world by 2027. These will help ensure that the best young players, both girls and boys, receive the best possible coaching, have access to proper facilities and a chance to play in a competitive environment. The milestone event also highlights the collaborative efforts between HKFA and FIFA, and provides a platform to engage local stakeholders — including government, clubs, and schools — to further support youth development.

With more milestone events planned around the world in 2025 and 2026, Hong Kong, China is proud to be leading the way in promoting girls’ football and setting an example for others to follow.