Viking and the Norwegian Football Federation have announced a long-term agreement under which Viking becomes the main sponsor of the National Team Academy (Landslagsskolen) and Norway's youth national teams. Through the "Future Vikings" program, Viking's sponsorship will help lay the foundation for the development of elite Norwegian football talent for at least the next five years.
“We believe Norwegian football is entering a new golden age, and we are delighted to be part of this journey. The National Team Academy offers committed players the opportunity to continue developing, and it’s fantastic to be able to contribute to the next generation of stars,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “At Viking, we believe that with hard work, nothing is impossible; the same is true in football. We are proud to support young people who love this sport and aspire to reach the top.”.
The National Team Academy aims to identify, nurture, and develop the most promising young Norwegians aged 12 to 16, with the goal of identifying those who can become top-level national and international players. Since its inception in 2015, footballers such as Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, Martin Ødegaard, Erling Braut Haaland, and Antonio Nusa have come through the Academy. The next stage consists of the youth national teams, which range from age 14 (girls) and 15 (boys) up to age 23. In recent years, these teams have achieved remarkable results, regularly qualifying for major championships.
“Our talent development program is a unique model in Europe and creates strong links between grassroots and elite football. The ‘Future Vikings’ program aims to build the next generation of Norwegian stars. We are very pleased that Viking is joining as a main sponsor, as it provides a stable, predictable, and solid framework for the program in the coming years,” said Karl-Petter Løken, General Secretary of the Norwegian Football Federation.
The announcement reinforces Viking's long-standing relationship with Norway. Torstein Hagen, originally from Nittedal, played football in his youth and maintains a deep affection for his country. Viking already plays a significant role in supporting local Norwegian communities: its small, Norwegian-flagged ocean-going vessels make regular calls throughout the year at 12 ports, from Kristiansand to Honningsvåg. Furthermore, Viking collaborates with leading Norwegian cultural institutions, such as the Munch Museum and the National Museum of Norway (Nasjonalmuseet).
Follow cruise news at Cruisesnews.es
