"Sabah's" European campaign has opened new opportunities for the club. However, how the financial resources and attention gained will be utilised is as important as the results on the pitch.

The club's announcement of a new project related to its academy is particularly significant in this regard. The country's president, Ilham Aliyev, allocated 5 million manats for "Sabah." The club has matched this with an additional 5 million manats to establish the "Sabah Football Academy Future Talents" programme. This demonstrates that the "owls" are focusing not only on strengthening the current squad but also on long-term plans.

One of the biggest problems in Azerbaijani football is the development of quality local players. For years, clubs have prioritised the search for ready-made players, often sidelining the development of younger age groups. As a result, dependence on the foreign player market increases, and opportunities for local footballers diminish.

However, "Sabah" now has a different opportunity. If the additional income from success in the Champions League is not solely used to elevate the current team's level, the club could reap the benefits for years to come. Every manat invested in the academy could translate into a player on the pitch in a few years.

The most encouraging aspect is that, as club president Maqsud Adigozelov stated to Report, the 10 million manats is just the initial capital. This means it is not a sum that will be spent and gone; the main work lies ahead.

This is not just about "Sabah." How one club manages its budget can serve as a lesson for others. If we want sustainable development in Azerbaijani football, we must approach the training of local players with the same seriousness as we do with the arrival of new foreign players each season.

Of course, not all clubs have the same financial capabilities. However, to establish a quality, sustainable academy, a sound strategy is needed more than a large budget. It is possible to build a systematic approach even with limited resources.

The millions earned in European competitions could be quickly forgotten if spent on a few transfers. In contrast, the investment in the academy could yield returns for both the club and the national team in the form of players years down the line. If "Sabah" is taking such steps with an eye on the future, it deserves nothing but praise.