07 Nov 2022
Turkish ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Goksu, says he hopes that links between his country and Aspire Academy can strengthen in the future.
Dr. Goksu’s comments come after a tour of the academy’s facilities which prompted him to offer further co-operation between Turkey and Aspire in the future.
Aspire Academy recently completed a successful training camp in Turkey that featured all our footballers and the ambassador is keen for such trips to continue across all sports.
“We are open to work with you guys always – I have just met some of the students that have just come from Turkey,” Dr. Goksu said.
“As an embassy we are open, we would like to get more people to Turkey because we have good facilities as well, and it can be beneficial for each other.”
“Aspire Academy has already had a lot of students visiting Turkey but after seeing this project I am going to help them more and more”
The ambassador also praised Aspire Academy for the way it combines sport and education at such a high level, adding other nations should take note.
“This is the first project that I have ever in my life that’s gathering people that are good in academics and sport,” Dr. Goksu enthused.
“Mostly people who are good at sport are not always good academically. When they have studied here in high school then they have the opportunity to go to universities which is very important as well.”
“I hope it is going to get more successful as this project is not just for Qatar but for the region it is very important and I am sure some countries are going to try this project.”
With Turkey not qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2022 the ambassador said he will be backing Qatar, with its Aspire Academy graduates, when the tournament kicks off on 20 November.
“Yes we have (support) a team – Qatar because I live in Qatar,” he explained.
“Qatar has prepared very well – whoever gets to host World Cups after Qatar will have a big burden because things here are excellent. We are with Qatar with our hearts.”