31 Jul 2024
For the second consecutive summer, Aspire Academy partnered with the European Union (EU) Delegation in Qatar and Generation Amazing to host a summer camp.
This year’s event, which also had the View Hospital, AI Sports and Toys4me as partners, was for Palestinian children from Gaza evacuated to Qatar after last year’s camp for underprivileged Syrian youngsters.
A total of 55 children spent two weeks at the Academy, enjoying basketball and football training with coaches from Generation Amazing and Aspire.
Other activities included kickboxing training, friendly matches, educational sessions, workshops, and masterclasses on sports, the arts, and mindfulness.
The camp included boys and girls of a wide variety of ages, with the majority being between 9 and 14.
The two weeks at Aspire Academy offered the children an opportunity to develop their sporting skills and learn to work in a team. It was also a chance to meet and play with others.
Cristian Tudor, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Qatar, regularly visited the summer camp at Aspire over the fortnight.
“I want to thank all our partners in this summer camp, including Aspire—the facilities here are amazing, and so are the staff,” he said.
“Nothing would have been possible without the support of the state of Qatar to help these children leave the problems in Palestine.”
“(We work with Aspire) because there's nothing else in terms of quality, expertise, and commitment to sports.”
“Also as important are the values of Aspire which we feel align with ours – things such as seeing sport not just as sport but as a tool for personal growth and its importance for health reasons and social development.”
“The reaction from the kids has been fantastic; they're happy because they have an opportunity to play and enjoy themselves. On the last day, they were sad, and they were asking me, can we extend?”
“I really look forward to continuing to work with all our partners to see if we can organise a longer summer camp in the future. Children need it, and they're very happy.”
Aspire’s Deputy Director General, Mr Ali Salem Afifa, praised the initiative and said Aspire was delighted to have played a key role in the EU Summer Camp.
“It has been our privilege and honour to host this summer camp for children who have been evacuated from the ongoing violence in Palestine,” he said.
“Aspire is proud to have provided a safe and secure environment for the youngsters, and we are glad that we can share our incredible facilities with them.”
“We as Aspire can only hope that these past few days have provided them with a distraction from what they have experienced in recent times and allowed them to play and simply be children.”
“Thanks to our coaches who have helped out with fun and exciting training sessions that have boosted the children’s confidence and well-being. We are pleased that we could once again work with the European Union Delegation in Qatar and Generation Amazing to offer this opportunity to those who are less fortunate than ourselves.”