09 Sep 2025
The future stars of Qatari sport have returned to Aspire Academy for the 2025-26 academic year.
A total of 70 newcomers are set to begin their journey at the Academy this week as they bid to learn and develop into champions.
Many of the new student-athletes have been part of the Academy's extensive pre-academy programmes, which identify and scout young, talented athletes with the potential to develop into top-class competitors.
This year's new intake is due to include 34 footballers, four football referees, 15 track and field athletes, four fencers, a table tennis player, and seven padel players from the Academy's core sports.
Also joining are four swimmers and a shooter, who will benefit from education at Aspire Academy, as well as strength and conditioning training and medical support, while receiving specialist technical training with the relevant sporting associations.
Of the newcomers, 38 are due to be in 7th grade, 15 in 8th grade, 3 in 9th grade, 6 in 10th grade, 7 in 11th grade, and 1 in 12th grade.
Aspire Academy's school vice principal, Issa AlMoslemani, was keen to welcome the new student-athletes as well as those returning to continue their journey at the Academy.
"With the new academic year, welcome back to all our heroes, welcome home, welcome to the place where we promise to develop heroes," he said.
"We are definitely in the right place as we all give our best to achieve our goals through motivation, dedication and ambition."
"We are all aware there will be some challenges, but with 20 years of experience, we know how to face them and solve them."
"As always, the student-athletes will need to go on training camps and take part in competitions in their bid to be champions, as they balance academic and sporting development. We work with teachers, coaches and most importantly, the parents to achieve our goals."
"We are also excited that the FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2025 is happening right here on our doorstep, not only to see some of our student-athletes and graduates in action but also as an inspiration for others to see what can be achieved with hard work and dedication."
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2025 kicks off on 3 November and the final on 27 November in the Aspire Zone at the Khalifa International Stadium.
The Aspire Academy Education Department is also preparing to host the 4th edition of the Aspire for Education conference on the 23rd and 24th of September, under the theme of "Well-being in Education".
The two-day gathering will feature Aspire Academy staff and experts from overseas and involve engaging panels, keynote speeches, and collaborative sessions.