Franco Baresi. (TOI Photo)

KOCHI: Former Italian captain and defender Franco Baresi will launch AC Milan 's International Football Academy in Kozhikode, Kerala in the first week of September.

This will be AC Milan's first football academy in India. Unlike the other franchisee-based academies of foreign football clubs operating in India, all the functions of the academy of Serie A giants will be directly controlled by AC Milan.

In the initial phase, the academy will spread its wings to Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kozhikode before expanding further to Thrissur, Kannur and Kasaragod in the next phase. Milan trained coaches will be carrying out the training programmes which will be conducted for the children between 6-16 years of age.

AC Milan International Football Academy head Alexandro Giyani was in Kozhikode last week and had discussions with the local organisers regarding the launch of the academy. "We had a fruitful discussion with Giyani and he was impressed with our presentation. The academy will be run by AC Milan and we don't have much role other than providing the infrastructure and facilities," said Abuthahir, one of the designated partners of Calicut Sports City LLP, a Kozhikode based-group which will be the local partners of the project.

Baresi was part of the Dino Zoff 's 1982 FIFA World Cup winning squad but didn't play a game. But he soon became the pivot of Italian backline and is considered to be one of the greatest defenders of all-time. He was also named by Brazilian great Pele as one of the 125 greatest Living Footballers at the FIFA centenary awards ceremony in 2004. Baresi was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2013. The 59-year old Baresi spent his entire 20-year career with AC Milan and captained the club for 15 seasons.

Efforts are also on to bring another Italian legend Paulo Maldini to Kozhikode. "We are also trying to bring Paulo Maldini but his arrival has not been confirmed yet. Even if he is not able to make it for the launch, he has promised to visit us once the academy starts functioning," added Abuthahir.

