15 Dec 2017
Doha, 14 December 2017. Aspire Academy graduate, Mutaz Essa Barshim who was crowned IAAF Male Athlete of 2017 at the end of November on a glitzy night in Monaco, was today Thursday, 14th December honoured by Qatar Athletics Federation with a celebration held at Aspire outdoor athletics track. QAF, working hand in hand with Aspire Academy arranged for the World Champion high jumper to celebrate his latest achievement with some of the World’s top Athletes currently in Qatar for training and rehabilitation. QAF President, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari along with Aspire Academy Deputy Director General, Mr Ali Salem Afifa welcomed Mutaz and his international band of fellow athletes among the, World 400m record holder and Olympic champion, Wayde Van Niekerk, Decathlon World Champion and Olympic silver medalist, Kevin Mayer, Olympic Pole Vault champion, Thiago Braz.
In his welcome speech, QAF President, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari said, “Qatar embraces humanity from all walks of life and thrives on giving all athletes opportunities and chances to perform their best at their chosen sport. There are many champions here present and we are pleased that you have been able to take time from your busy programs to be here to celebrate and recognize our champion, Mutaz Essa Barshim and l know this inspires the other Qatari athletes here present. “In his remarks Aspire Academy Deputy Director General, Mr Ali Salem Afifa said, “The healthy relationship that exists between QAF and Aspire continues to grow and together we proudly produce the caliber of athletes exemplified by Mutaz. We celebrate together his success and look forward to more such times with more of the athletes help groom together.”
Mutaz along with fellow athletes joined QAF President, Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Aspire Academy Deputy Director General, Mr Ali Salem Afifa and Aspire Academy Director of Sport and Strategy, Mr Markus Egger in cutting the huge cake decorated with a photography from his IAAF award win. Speaking afterwards Mutaz said, “It means a lot to have some of these world’s finest athletes join me to celebrate what has been a wonderful season. I am thankful to QAF, Aspire Academy and everyone here present and l encourage all to relentlessly pursue their goals and you can be rest assured l will be doing the same and keep working hard to be the best l can be and a positive ambassador for Qatar and Aspire Academy through my sport.” The gathering included Qatar top athletes among them, Aspire Academy graduates, Ashraf Amgad El-Seify and Ibrahim Moaz Mohammed. Also in attendance were Mutaz’s training partner and fellow Qatari high jumper, Mohamat Allamine Hamdi, Qatar 400m hurdler, Abderrahaman Samba as well as 2017 IAAF World Championships 400m bronze medalist Abdallelah Haroun of Qatar. The guests included 2015 European Indoor champion, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson of Great Britain along with French and European Indoor champion, heptathlete, Antoinette Nana Djimouida and French decathlete, Bastien Auzeil.