10 Mar 2016
Doha, 10 March 2016. Following a stringent, year-long selection process, Aspire Academy chose a group of more than 40 promising young Qatari athletes to join its prestigious “Gold Camp” - the final stage in a qualifications scheme for students to join the Academy’s comprehensive talent development programme that includes sports, academic and social pillars.
The Academy’s officials welcomed on Tuesday morning more than 40 qualified students in its auditorium, where they were congratulated for reaching this stage and being invited to this two-day-long event. The session introduced the students to the training programme they will be undergoing and instructed them on how to best benefit from the Academy’s facilities during the camp.
During the welcoming ceremony, the Academy shared inspirational stories about some of Aspire Academy’s star graduates, including Olympic high-jumper Mutaz Barshim and squash champion Abdullah Al-Tamimi and the students also heard advice and tips on how to take advantage of all the opportunities the camp has to offer, calling on the participants to have fun during the competition, work hard and respect and support one another.
Each year Aspire Academy’s talent identification process involves over 3,000 boys of 11 years of age from all across Qatar. Being one of the final boys still being tested at “Gold Camp” is already proof of the boys’ sporting talent. Upon joining the Gold Camp, each participant was placed into a respective sport section for which they are most qualified, including squash, throwing, fencing, table tennis, gymnastics, athletics and multi-sports. Following a series of different screening processes, the Academy chooses a select number of students to join the Academy on a scholarship basis at the conclusion of the camp.
The camp contributes directly towards Aspire Academy’s mission of identifying promising sporting talents and turning them into well-educated sports champions, as well as its efforts to promote a sports culture in Qatar and the region.