ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s renowned Football Factory is heading to Dortmund once again. Football Factory recently announced that they will be training with official Borussia Dortmund coaches from the 31st of July to the 11th of August. Sports Side reached out to the Founder of Football Factory, Faizan Sameer, to have a conversation.
What is Football Factory?
Founded in 2023, Football Factory is a football academy in Islamabad and Lahore. The academy’s vision is to focus on grassroots development and women’s football. Football Factory was founded and is currently run by the well-renowned Faizan Sameer, who is a UEFA Academy CFM graduate. In addition, they field multiple teams, featuring at different youth levels. Football Factory also offers scholarships to students to give them a chance at going professional. They’ve partnered with Roots International School, offering a Football Development Program. Explaining the vision behind Football Factory, Faizan has to say
“The vision was simple! Expose our players to global best practices and give them a taste of elite-level football culture. We wanted them to train like UCL clubs, learn from world-class coaches, and come back inspired to raise the standard of the game in Pakistan.”
What this means for Football Factory
Borussia Dortmund is a prestigious club in Europe with a strong history. The club is one of the biggest in Germany. This means that the academy will train with recognized and experienced coaches, while also training at top facilities. Gaining this international exposure will benefit the players, as they will gain valuable experience. When asked about the benefits of this camp, Faizan said
“It’s life-changing. The players don’t just train they evolve. They return with stronger discipline, higher football IQ, and a belief that they can compete anywhere. For many, it’s the first time they truly feel like professionals.”
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Football Factory’s Achievements
Not only is this Football Factory’s second time going to Dortmund, they also represented Pakistan at the iconic Emirates Stadium in the TCL Global Championship. Other than this, they regularly appear at local futsal tournaments, winning multiple competitions. The women’s team featured at the 2024 National Women’s Championship, ending as the runners-up. The team has also had a couple of their players feature for the National Team.
Speaking about the future of Football Factory, Faizan says
“Our goal is to be the leading platform for youth football development in Pakistan. We’re investing in coach education, elite training environments, and expanding our footprint nationally. The dream is to create a system where Pakistani players are scouted internationally and our coaches become recognized regionally.”
The Impact of Academies on Pakistan Football’s Future
With many academies aiming to be the best in Pakistan, this will only benefit Pakistan football. Academies like Football Factory, TWK, SA Gardens, and others are training players from a young age and consistently playing competitive matches. This leads to a larger player pool for the national team. In addition, these academies provide opportunities for players to be scouted by international clubs.
“Football academies are the heartbeat of grassroots development. They build discipline, character, and community. With proper structure and support, academies can produce not just great players but future leaders of the sport in Pakistan.”
When asked about the sustainability of such collaborations, Faizan Sameer emphasized the importance of a long-term mindset:
“Partnerships like this require trust, consistency, and a shared vision. We need to keep showing results, remain transparent, and focus on impact. If we do that, these collaborations are not only sustainable, they become essential for the sport’s future in Pakistan.”
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