11 May 2017
Doha, 11 May 2017. After a nationwide scouting program that included testing thousands of Qatari grade 6 students in sports and football, Aspire Academy granted 84 young aspiring student-athletes a full scholarship starting with the 2017-18 academic year and welcomed them to their prestigious institution at an induction ceremony on Wednesday evening.
Their formal enrolment had the talented 9 and 10-year-old children undergo intensive physical and psychological trials and passing three stages of talent identification tests in their schools and at the Academy’s facilities. Impressing Aspire scouts during this process, the young sportsman were recognised for their efforts during the ceremony.
Well-attended by the future student athletes, their parents, graduates as well as staff and management from Aspire Academy, the induction event began with a brief opening speech from the Academy’s Director General, Ivan Bravo. Welcoming the new students, Mr. Bravo said, “We are incredibly excited to welcome these boys into the Academy. It is a great achievement for them to be offered a place here and they should all be tremendously proud of their achievement.”
Bravo also stressed the importance of mutual gratitude, responsibility and trust between the Academy and the student-athletes’ families. “We need you to work with us to take your sons to their full potential. Being at Aspire Academy will not only provide them with the perfect balance between an academic and a sports program, it will make them become grounded men with tolerance for others, that have travelled the world and the knowledge that you have to work hard if you want to achieve something.”
The audience also had the opportunity to listen to current student and footballer Fahad Al-Quseaimi and the graduates Yousef Al-Bader and Fahad Al-Mughanni, who told about their experience at the Academy and about their smooth transition into their respective careers after graduating. The ceremony concluded with presentations of Badr Al-Hay, Director of Education and Student Care, Markus Egger, Director of Sports, Stephan Hildebrandt, Manager of Football Operations and Dr. Antonio Tramullas, Medical Director of Aspire Health Centre, who also answered questions of interested parents.