06 Oct 2014
?Paris, 6 October 2014. Stars of world sport were acknowledge for the their in involvement in the Aspire Academy Global Summit Football Performance and Science during a gala dinner in Paris.
Sports legends, Gennaro Gattuso, Roberto Mancini, Juan Sebastian Veron, Julio Velasco, Gabriel Heinze, Gaizka Mendietta, Louis Saha, Patrick Kluivert and Victoria Azarenka received souvenirs of the event.
The audience was also treated to a stars chat interview featuring former world number one tennis player Victoria Azarenka and Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert.
Speaking on stage about her season-ending injury Azarenka said :”It can be frustrating but it is part of it. You have victories and tough times and from this experience you appreciate it when you are healthy.”
“My family have always been very supportive in everything I did. I played when I was a kid I played tennis with passion and it was like an art for me. One day I came home and said I didn’t want to play anymore and may be focus on study. I spoke to my grandmother and she is the one that puts things in perspective. After that I felt that passion again that I felt before. “
“Practice sometimes is just boring. Playing in front of a big crowd is a lot easier and after you win the first point you feel that the hard practice is worth it.”
During the interview Kluivert revealed that he rejected offers from several clubs in Europe as he was focusing on his role as assistant manager with the Dutch national at the 2014 FIFA world Cup.
Kluivert said: “Lots of clubs were interested in me, yet in big tournaments such as the World Cup you have to be focused.”