12 Jun 2013
Last night marks another proud occasion in the short but illustrious history of Aspire Academy, as 32 student-athletes graduated from one of the world’s elite sporting and academic institutions.
The two-hour ceremony, attended by the graduates’ parents and other family members, as well as key people from the Academy, as they were taken on a virtual journey of their time at ASPIRE, via an edited film broadcast on giant screens around the venue.
A total of 186 student-athletes in different sports have now graduated from Aspire since 2008, and those previous graduates were also honored, in a special celebration in the Academy.
Once again ASPIRE’s commitment to providing a diverse range of sporting expertise and education was clear from the graduates in attendance. Among the 33 student-athletes are 23 football players, 7 athletes, one gymnast, two fencers, and one squash player. It is a fitting testimony to the success of the Academy that all 23 footballers have already joined professional clubs in Qatar.
In his address to the graduates, ASPIRE’s Director General, Ivan Bravo, said: “Today, we are proud to see you receiving the recognition you deserve for all these years of arduous studies, countless trainings and competitions, incipient life-lasting friendships. You have represented the Academy and your national teams with passion and loyalty.”
“I believe that graduating from the Academy is one of the most exciting and most rewarding accomplishments you can possibly achieve as a young adult in Qatar. The preparation and education you have received here will serve you to achieve anything you wish to accomplish in your life. You leave the Academy with the sporting and educational tools, the maturity and personal character you will need to navigate life with knowledge, optimism and self-confidence. It is my believe that, as an Aspire Academy alum, only your imagination and the ambition of your own goals will determine your limits.” He added.
“As we celebrate your accomplishments to date, we also cheer for you on the first day of a new chapter in your journey. You begin to write a new story today, your own story, full of opportunities and possibilities. As you further your studies and your sports career, remember that excellence is pursued every day. You will near excellence if you believe you can always do a little bit better.
We are eager to support you on this journey, in any way we can. Your success continues to be the purpose of the Academy’s existence, now and tomorrow, and we are eager to be a part of your future,” the Academy General Manager concluded.
ASPIRE’s Director of Education and Student Care, Bader Al Hay, also spoke to the students, stressing the importance of them acquiring technological skills to complement their educational and sporting ones. “Our celebration tonight,” he said, “is the result of hard work and great effort, which distinguish all staff, teachers, coaches and administrators.
This Sixth class of graduate student athletes coincides this year with the graduation from universities of some of our first graduate athletes. And I am proud to share with you a survey showing that around 70% of graduates from previous classes have easily continued at universities for post graduate programs which reflects our commitment to excellence. My advice to you is to keep climbing the ladder to reach the highest levels in your future career, be it in sport or professional life, and I am sure you have what it takes. ”
Commenting on his own journey at ASPIRE, one graduate, Sultan Bakhit Al- Kuwari, said: “ASPIRE taught me self-discipline, passion towards education and hard work; it has helped me plan for my future, and paved the way for me to join one of the Spanish Liga teams of Villarreal where I am shaping my talents based on what I have learnt during my days in Aspire.” While another, Muammar Essa Birsham, Athletics, said: “ASPIRE changed my mentality.
I was able to understand the real world and see the future better.” And a third one, Faisal Masud Al- Marri added: “ASPIRE influenced my life greatly. It helped me manage my time and made me grow as an individual. It helped me develop my sporting and academic performances and taught me life-skills and how to deal with hard times.”