Aspire Academy marked the beginning of the new 2016-2017 academic year with a special guest appearance from one of their most successful graduates, Qatar’s Rio 2016 Olympic medallist, Mutaz Barshim, who returned triumphant from Rio clutching the high jump silver medal last month.
He was welcomed by the Academy students including 56 new student-athletes at the Academy’s Auditorium, sharing the highs and lows on his journey to Olympic glory to help inspire young athletes to follow in his footsteps as they undertake a variety of sporting programmes at the Academy.
Barshim won the country’s first-ever silver medal at Rio this summer. His attendance was greeted by Aspire Academy deputy director general Ali Salem Afifa and Aspire Academy management team, in addition to a number of student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Speaking at the event, Barshim said, “It’s good to be back here where it all started, at Aspire Academy, which I consider to be my second home. The Academy , its world-class facilities unlike any other I’ve seen throughout my many travels, has equipped me to be where I am today. It’s a great honour to be greeted with such applause and it feels great to make my country proud by bringing home its first Olympic silver medal.
“I hope my presence here today inspires fellow student-athletes to work hard and take advantage of what the Academy has to offer, to achieve incredible results.”
He told the new student-athletes, “Don’t be afraid of failure as it will help you learn. Don’t overthink, show dedication, get plenty of rest, and proactively seek your coach’s guidance to achieve your best possible results. Dream big and aim high, Olympic glory and world records come from hard work, dedication and great team around you.”
Commenting on his attendance, Afifa said, “We are incredibly proud to see one of our bright students rise at an international level. Aspire Academy is always striving to provide the best facilities, coaches and education to help our student-athletes achieve their maximum potential. We hope to see more of them achieve great results at major international tournaments in line with the Academy’s objectives to help Qatar elevate its international portfolio in the sporting arena.”
This new academic year 2016-2017, which has a total number of 265 student-athletes, marked the first academic year after receiving the accreditation by the Council of International Schools. Student-athletes were accepted after successfully completing the elaborate talent identification process of the Academy.
Established in 2004, Aspire Academy has two primary aims. First, to identify and transform talented young athletes with real potential into world-renowned champions who represent Qatar in national teams across a wide range of sports. Its second primary aim is to promote a sports culture in Qatar and the region.
Aspire Academy aims to develop students holistically, providing individuals with a comprehensive academic, social and sporting education. To support student-athletes in fulfilling their promise, there are five major departments at Aspire Academy that specifically look after their development: the Football Department, the Football Performance and Science Department, the Sports Department (non-football), the Sports Science Department, and the Education and Student Care Department.