Aspire Academy celebrated the graduation of the ninth generation of its student-athletes for the 2015-2016 academic year.
HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanim bin Nasser al-Ali was the guest of honour at the graduation ceremony, which was attended by a number of Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) officials, including president Hilal al-Kuwari, vice-president Tareq al-Neama and acting CEO Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, Aspire Academy director general Ivan Bravo, and director of Education and Student Care Department at the Academy Badr al-Hai.
The 36 student-athletes that graduated were from across sporting disciplines, including football, squash, athletics, swimming, table tennis, and archery. These student-athletes are expected to form the next generation of players for Qatar’s sports teams and clubs.
The commencement ceremony demonstrated Aspire Academy’s mission to be recognised as one of the world’s leading sports academies in the development of young athletes, which it achieves through a comprehensive curriculum focused on both academic and athletic achievement.
The ceremony marks the culmination of six years’ worth of hard work, effort and commitment from the student-athletes during their time at Aspire Academy and highlights Aspire Academy’s continued efforts to help launch their sporting careers.
In his opening remarks, Bravo said, “When the founders of Aspire launched the Aspire Academy in 2004, they did so with the long-term vision that the organisation would forever lead the way in developing the courage, character and skill of every student that passed through its doors and help develop Qatar’s athletes of the future; athletes that would one day make this great country proud.
“This time last year, one of our young champions, Abubaker Haydar, was standing in this very hall eagerly waiting to receive his graduation certificate. Several months later, the world watched him at the opening meeting of the 2016 Diamond League, which took place in Doha, as he successfully qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the 800 metres race.
“Not only did Abubaker qualify for the world’s biggest and most prestigious sporting event, but he did so in style, setting this year’s seventh best time in the world. Abubaker is an outstanding young individual who, while at the Aspire Academy, received praise from all his coaches and teachers for his passion, dedication and desire to improve.”
In a speech representing the graduates, student athlete Yousef al-Badr said, “Today we recall the memories of studying and practising sports with our teachers and coaches. We realise that nations are built by the sincere efforts of its youth. Today, we are proud to graduate from Aspire Academy to carry the banner of knowledge and sports. We extend our sincerest gratitude to the Academy that provided us with everything to achieve both academic and sports excellence.”