Unlike some football academies, the focus at Diambars is on studies before soccer.
Unlike some football academies, the focus at Diambars is on studies before soccer.
Courtesy Diambars
"So many young people turn their back on school because of football," says head of studies Amadou Tamberou. "Diambars has said: 'Ok, thanks to football, young people will come back to school.'"
"So many young people turn their back on school because of football," says head of studies Amadou Tamberou. "Diambars has said: 'Ok, thanks to football, young people will come back to school.'"
Courtesy Diambars
The academy was founded in 2003 by Beninese defender Jimmy Adjovi Boco, Saer Seck, the president of Senegal's football league, French goalkeeper Bernard Lama and former Arsenal captain Patrick Viera. The four men raised sponsorship funds and invested personally in the project.
The academy was founded in 2003 by Beninese defender Jimmy Adjovi Boco, Saer Seck, the president of Senegal's football league, French goalkeeper Bernard Lama and former Arsenal captain Patrick Viera. The four men raised sponsorship funds and invested personally in the project.
Courtesy Diambars
Senegal's president, Macky Sall, officially opened the academy. It is located near the beach resort of Saly, three hours south of the capital, Dakar.
Senegal's president, Macky Sall, officially opened the academy. It is located near the beach resort of Saly, three hours south of the capital, Dakar.
Courtesy Diambars
A striking splash of green amid dusty red sand, Diambars boasts six football pitches, a swimming pool and gym.
A striking splash of green amid dusty red sand, Diambars boasts six football pitches, a swimming pool and gym.
Courtesy Diambars
The facilities are considered to be among the best in the country, with the academy's pro team housed in VIP on-site accommodation.
The facilities are considered to be among the best in the country, with the academy's pro team housed in VIP on-site accommodation.
Sophie Eastaugh/CNN
The school's strict emphasis on academia has enabled 50 of its 200 alumni to go on to university.
The school's strict emphasis on academia has enabled 50 of its 200 alumni to go on to university.
Courtesy Diambars
International youth teams regularly visit to play matches, such as Mauritiana's Under-17 squad, pictured here in a friendly against Diambars during CNN's visit.
International youth teams regularly visit to play matches, such as Mauritiana's Under-17 squad, pictured here in a friendly against Diambars during CNN's visit.
Sophie Eastaugh/CNN
The boys having a coaching team of 11 (pictured,) plus two on-site physiotherapists. "Above all, we form men -- young Senegalese men -- so they can later become businessmen, ministers, presidents, and not exclusively football players," says head coach Moussa Kamara (second left, bottom row.) "That's the big difference between Diambars and others."
The boys having a coaching team of 11 (pictured,) plus two on-site physiotherapists. "Above all, we form men -- young Senegalese men -- so they can later become businessmen, ministers, presidents, and not exclusively football players," says head coach Moussa Kamara (second left, bottom row.) "That's the big difference between Diambars and others."
Courtesy Diambars
The school named the 2006 intake after Tomas Ryan-Vig, a British 13-year-old who was killed in a school bus accident. Tomas was a keen Arsenal supporter and helped fundraise for Diambars from the UK.
The school named the 2006 intake after Tomas Ryan-Vig, a British 13-year-old who was killed in a school bus accident. Tomas was a keen Arsenal supporter and helped fundraise for Diambars from the UK.
Courtesy Diambars
Each year, between 3,000 and 5,000 boys try out at local football schools across Senegal for a place at the academy. Only around 16 of them get in.
Each year, between 3,000 and 5,000 boys try out at local football schools across Senegal for a place at the academy. Only around 16 of them get in.
Courtesy Diambars