19 Feb 2013
ASPIRE Academy in Doha, Qatar, held a gala dinner in the Torch Hotel Doha to celebrate the Grand Final of the Sixth edition of its exceptional program” ASPIRE Football Dreams”, the world's largest scouting program in football.
Were present at this gala dinner, Aspire Zone Vice president, Tariq Abdulaziz Al-Naama, Ivan Bravo, director General, Aspire Academy, Andreas Bleicher Director international Affairs Aspire, and the two guests of honor Spanish football legend Raul Gonzales, Qatar Al Sadd club’s professional player, and 5 times world cup present Serbian coach Bora Multinuvic as well as ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of countries included in the program.
This sixth edition selected 32 young talented young boys born 1999 from 12 countries across three continents; Asia, Africa and Latin America. They are from Thailand Vietnam, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, and Uganda; who came to train with, and play against, each other at ASPIRE Academy as well as playing friendly games against their age group from the giant Spanish club of FC Barcelona.
The top 32 boys were brought to Qatar to enjoy a two weeks trial and condensed training program, including friendly games against the youth team of FC Barcelona. They were accompanied by 62 young players from previous editions representing the three age groups: 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 born talents.
ASPIRE's football coaching staff worked hand-in-hand with the program's scouts and country coordinators, headed by Program Director Josep Colomer. The 32 selected boys trained and played under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff, who introduced them to the latest coaching methods and techniques.
During their time in Doha, the boys have benefited from ASPIRE's sports science facilities. These include hi-tech equipment, physical tests, fitness tests, scanning and medical treatments. They have also taken advantage of the leisure time program arranged for them by the Academy.
The boys were accommodated in the Academy's boarding school dormitory, whose standard is that of a top class hotel. A healthy and balanced diet was also provided to them by the Academy's catering staff and under the supervision of the academy’s specialized team of dieticians.
The 32 boys born 1999 as well as the 62 others from other age groups benefited during their two weeks stay in Doha from the advanced health services of ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital. The only FIFA accredited sports medicine center in the Middle East region.
This ASPIRE Football Dreams program started back in 2007, with 7 countries in Africa and now reaches 12 countries on 3 continents to give hope to thousands of children in these developing countries to fulfill their dreams to reach the heights of international football.
At the end of the Gala Dinner, which started with the projection of a video showcasing some actions from the yearlong scouting process, the boys were presented by their certificates and a nice ball signed by Raul Gonzales for their memories; and took a group photo with him on the stage as well as with the Academy’s management.