STARZPLAY & Lega Serie A Team for Football Talent Show

STARZPLAY, PureHealth and Image Nation Abu Dhabi have aligned with Lega Serie A to launch the original show The Italian Dream.

The series gives young footballers in the MENA region a chance to showcase their talent and make their dreams come true. Over six episodes, the sport’s protégés will have the chance to play in one of world football’s biggest leagues, honing their skills alongside world-class players.

The Italian Dream is filmed in Abu Dhabi, with Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt also participating.

Maaz Sheikh, CEO of STARZPLAY, said: “The launch of The Italian Dream is a testament to STARZPLAY’s commitment to diversify its content range to meet its audience’s preferences and its continued drive to produce the highest standard of Arabic content and showcase local talent. By examining audience viewing patterns and viewership data, we recognized that sports play a crucial role in attracting viewers across the Middle East and North Africa, with football standing out as the sport of choice in a nation driven by the vision of its leaders towards healthy and happy living. It was from this analysis that the concept for The Italian Dream was born.”

Shaista Asif, group COO of PureHealth, said: “We are proud to support The Italian Dream TV show—a strategic collaboration that propels young football talent in the MENA region toward unprecedented opportunities. By empowering these aspiring athletes, we are not only shaping their futures but also fueling the region’s sporting excellence.”

She added: “Our participation in The Italian Dream reflects our deep commitment to empowering communities and ensuring their health, happiness and overall well-being. By providing a platform for aspiring football talent in the MENA region, we contribute to the UAE’s efforts to nurture youth potential and foster a vibrant sports culture. At PureHealth, our vision extends beyond healthcare, as we believe in empowering individuals to lead longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Through this strategic collaboration, we are supporting a journey where health, sports and community empowerment converge to create a brighter future for generations to come.”

Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A, said: “The Italian Dream exemplifies Lega Serie A’s commitment to investing in grassroots talent in the MENA region by providing opportunities for local emerging players to grow, learn and showcase their abilities on one of the world’s most renowned and storied football leagues, Lega Serie A. This project cements Lega Serie A’s partnership with STARZPLAY, introducing a new dimension to the collaboration with an engaging content platform combining sports and entertainment for regional audiences.”

Commenting on the production, Ben Ross, acting CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said: “Image Nation constantly looks for diverse new projects that uncover inspirational stories from the UAE and the region. We are excited to embark on this unique show, which will not only give a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talented young footballers but will provide audiences with the chance to experience the emotional personal journeys of the lucky participants.”