08 Mar 2025
Algeria's Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif is embarking on an intensive training camp at Aspire Academy in Qatar. She announced at a press conference on Thursday that she will train at the Academy until March 29th as she prepares for the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, UK.
In addition to Imane Khelif, the press conference was addressed by Ahmed Anani, Vice Chairman and CEO of Kotinos – Aspire Sports Consulting and Management company and Aspire Academy's Deputy Director General, Ali Salem Afifa. Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Boxing Federation, and senior officials from Aspire Academy were also in attendance. During her time at the Academy, Imane Khelif is seizing the opportunity to refine her technique, enhance her endurance, and sharpen her strategic approach in a world-class training environment.
The training camp, supported by Aspire Academy and the Qatar Boxing Federation, will provide Khelif with state-of-the-art facilities and expert coaching to ensure she is ready to perform at the highest level in Liverpool. Khelif is looking to improve on her silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy, welcomed the Olympic Champion to the Academy: "It's a privilege to host an athlete of Imane's calibre. Our team is committed to providing her with the best possible resources to support her journey to the top."
Anani emphasised the significance of this training camp: "We are honoured to welcome Imane to Qatar. Training at Aspire Academy's world-class facilities reaffirms Qatar's position as a premier destination for elite athletes and a global hub for sports excellence."
Imane Khelif echoed those sentiments: "I am truly honoured to be here at Aspire Academy and in Qatar, and I deeply appreciate the incredible support I have received—especially during the holy month of Ramadan. This experience is unlike any other, allowing me to elevate my journey in the sport further and proudly represent Arab women in boxing. A
heartfelt thank you to Kotinos – Aspire Sports Consulting and Management for making this opportunity possible.
Khelif is the latest world-class athlete to choose Aspire Academy as their base for a training camp. Polish hammer-thrower Anita Wlodarczyk, who is the world record holder and a three-time Olympic Champion, is a regular visitor. At the same time, major football teams including Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also spent time at Aspire Academy.
This training camp also powerfully conveys to aspiring athletes worldwide that success is not just about reaching the pinnacle but about continuously striving for greatness. With meticulous planning, cutting-edge resources, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, Khelif's journey in Qatar is set to inspire the next generation of champions.
Kotinos—Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC is a new company established in the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) under the name Aspire Sports Consulting & Management LLC. The company, which is part of the Aspire Zone Foundation, represents professional athletes and offers sports marketing and sports consulting services.