RIYADH: La Liga President Javier Tebas says growing ties between Spanish and Saudi football will serve a new generation of players.

Tebas was speaking after the La Liga FC Futures U14 tournament, which was held at the Mahd Sports Academy in Riyadh last weekend and won by Villarreal.

The competition was organized in collaboration with the Kingdom’s Ministry of Sports and saw 12 teams taking part. They included eight EA Sports La Liga teams — Barcelona, Cadiz, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Villarreal, Real Betis and Osasuna — as well AS Roma (Italy), SL Benfica (Portugal), Olympique de Marseille (France) and Mahd Academy (Saudi Arabia).

“This championship is strong and important, not only for us, but for football in general,” said Tebas. “It was important for it to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also at the [Mahd] Academy, because it is important for us to contribute to achieving the long-term and medium-term goals of the game [here].”

He also expressed plans for future cooperation between the Spanish and Saudi federations, saying: “From a sporting perspective, I believe [we have] to work towards the objectives that we want here in Saudi Arabia, to have competitive players in the national teams and also in the clubs. We must work hard to serve the new generation. We are already collaborating with the Saudi Ministry of Sports to develop players under 18 years old, as they are the future.”

Tebas said he had watched some Roshn Saudi League matches this season, keeping track of the progress of high-profile European players that have moved to the Kingdom over the last year.

He added the experience of holding the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia was hugely successful. Although there was initially some criticism of the decision, he said, the mindset had now changed and it was accepted it had been beneficial for Spanish football.

Tebas also acknowledged the popularity of Spanish football in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

“I want to know who will win the rights to broadcast the Spanish league in this region of the world,” he said. “It is important for the league to reach different areas. In a few months, we will know.”