Doha Academy becomes "Must Visit" Destination for Sporting Celebrities and International Dignitaries
Doha, Qatar: ASPIRE, Qatar's Academy for Excellence, continues to draw a rich range of visitors from around the world, as more and more sporting legends travel to Doha to see the impressive facilities for themselves.
Alongside the world-famous sports men and women who have visited the Academy has been a growing list of official sporting bodies and grassroots groups, eager to learn about the impact ASPIRE has had on the local community.
In the past few weeks, recent VIP visits have included Netherlands international and A.C. Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who was scheduled for a 30-minute tour of ASPIRE but stayed for nearly three hours.
Seedorf described ASPIRE as "an amazing environment to teach young athletes."
Another recent VIP visitor was basketball legend Rolando "Ro" Antonio Blackman, who took time out to visit ASPIRE during a recent stay in Doha. The former Dallas Maverick spent time at the Academy learning about its innovative talent selection programs and techniques.
Completing this talented trio was Djamel Bourras, a Judo Champion at the 1996 Olympics, who was part of a delegation from the French Embassy on a guided-tour of the state-of-the-art educational facilities.
Also arriving in Doha was a high level delegation from the Bosnian National Olympic Committee and from the Belarusian National Olympic Committee.
In addition to the high level facilities and unrivalled architecture on display, visitors have also expressed admiration for ASPIRE's ongoing work in the local community. ASPIRE has offered a range of keep-fit classes and training opportunities for people across Qatar, from mothers and toddlers through to local sports clubs and societies.
Many regional community sports groups have visited the Academy in recent months to learn more about the so-called "ASPIRE Effect". Sports Federations have also chosen ASPIRE as a perfect training facility for their summer camps. These include the Gymnastics Federation, Boxing Federation, Cycling Federation and the Military Sports Association.
Dr. Thomas Flock, Director General, ASPIRE, said: "ASPIRE is always pleased to welcome sporting groups and athletes from around the world to the Academy. We recognise the important role that exchanging ideas and information plays in contributing to the wider sporting culture, and are very proud of the contribution that ASPIRE is making."
Taken together, the ongoing impressive roll call of visitors and visiting delegations demonstrates the rising international interest in ASPIRE, not only as an academic institution, but also as a vehicle for encouraging greater participation and interest in sport in the Middle East.
Photocaption1 Mr. Marian Coisetch, the President of Bosnian National Olympic Committee (left), a guest of ASPIRE.
Photocaption 2, (left to right): Mr. Vladimir Solimisky, Belarus ambassador in UAE, Mr. George Catolin, Secretary General of National Olympic Committee of Republic Belarus and a Representative of the Qatari National Olympic Committee.
-Ends-
About ASPIRE
ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, was created with the dual aims of identifying and transforming promising student athletes into world renowned champions across a wide range of sports and to act as a beacon to draw sporting culture into the centre of life in Qatar and the surrounding region.
The Academy is distinguished by a philosophy which aims to develop the whole student, providing them with full academic, social and sporting development.
Unrivalled facilities mark the Academy out as one of the world's foremost sporting and educational institutions, and entice an ever increasing number of visitors from across the spectrum of world sports to use or simply view them.
With one indoor and seven outdoor football pitches, athletics tracks, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving pool, combat arenas, gymnastics arena, specially designed weight rooms, lecture halls, dormitories to accommodate what will eventually become 1,000 students, a medical centre and more besides, much beneath the world's largest purpose built indoor sports dome, every aspect of the development of elite athletes is catered for. ASPIRE is a place for those who dare to dream.
© Press Release 2007
