11 Dec 2019
Doha, December 10, 2019. Aspire Academy and Qatar Shell have signed an agreement to partner and work together on the Koora Time Football Program. The three- year agreement was inked by Mr. Andrew Faulkner, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell, and Mr Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy at Aspire on Tuesday 10th December afternoon. Mr. Andrew Faulkner, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell speaking before the signing of the Agreement said, “At Qatar Shell we are leaders in our field and going around on a tour of Aspire Academy today l was blown away by this institution and how you employ the cutting-edge technology in your work. Aspire Academy is a leader in the youth sport development and our coming together to partner in developing Koora Time bodes well for this program which aims to supporting an active and healthy lifestyle amongst the young people in Qatar. Aspire Academy has been long time host of Koora Time, and l am well pleased that this partnership is a good example that capturing youth and introducing them to sport is a real and worthwhile investment for this country.”
Meanwhile Aspire Academy Director General, Mr Ivan Bravo praised the work and pedigree of Koora Time Program. “We have seen and the tremendous and positive impact Koora Time has had over the years and for us at Aspire Academy the mission to promote healthy lifestyle in Qatar is part of our goals since our inception. We believe in playing. Children playing football is at the epi-centre of what we do therefore we are delighted that Qatar Shell is now partnering with. We have the same objective to support the Social and Human Development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 through sport programs that ensure a healthy lifestyle among youth in Qatar,” said Mr Ivan Bravo.
About Koora Time:
A ten-year sustainable initiative between Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Shell, Koora Time is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of Qatar’s youth through football. This initiative aims to facilitate access to more football in a non-competitive environment, supporting an active and healthy lifestyle amongst the young people in Qatar. As part of the ten-year campaign, QFA and Qatar Shell will jointly organise and launch a series of youth engagement programmes using football as the platform.
Koora Time supports the Social and Human Development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS) through engaging the young people in Qatar at every stage of their lives with programmes tailored to them.
In recognition of its positive impact on the health of youth, Koora Time has been the recipient of numerous awards including the 2014 and 2016 ‘Sports Industry Award’ for Best CSR Initiative, the 2015 ‘CSR Award Qatar’ for Best CSR Impact Initiative, the 2014 ‘Dar Al Sharq Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ for the Best Sports Initiative, the 2014, 2016 and 2017 ‘AFC Dream of Asia Award’ in the area of social responsibility, and the 2017 ‘QFA Awards’ for Best CSR Program.
About Aspire Academy:
Since opening its doors in 2004, Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence has become one of the foremost national sports academies in the world. Working as part of the Aspire Zone Foundation – an international sport destination – Aspire Academy is at the heart of a sporting revolution currently taking place in Qatar and around the region. The Academy is conceiving, promoting and implementing game-changing excellence in sports training and elite athlete development that is enabling an entire generation of talented, disciplined and committed Qatari athletes to pursue their sporting dreams. Together with the other members of the Aspire Zone Foundation (Aspire Logistics and ASPETAR Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital),
Aspire Academy is developing sports champions, promoting healthy lifestyles and galvanizing the sports economy of today, and the future.