An Aspire Academy official presents a memento to a representative of the Football Association of Wales delegation which is on a visit to Doha.
The state-of-the-art Aspire Academy has impressed top sports athletes and dignitaries over the years and the leading officials of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) weren’t different as they were left inspired by the world class facility during their trip to Doha.
The top FAW officials including Chief Executive Officer Neil Ward, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Peter Lee OBE toured Aspire Academy to oversee Welsh U-15 team’s performance in the Aspire Academy’s Tri-series football competition.
The FAW Trust delegation met Aspire Academy Director General, Ivan Bravo, during their visit, discussing areas of mutual cooperation, such as coach education and development exchange programmes.
They were also apprised of several facilities for budding athletes by the officials.
The FAW chief Ward was impressed with the infrastructure hailing the Aspire Academy one of the best in the world.
“Aspire Academy is impressive and boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure. It is an ideal place for nurturing and developing sports talent,” he said.
“The philosophy behind the education and sports programmes here is world class and speaks of the country’s aim to enhance sport and develop top athletes for the future.
"Like Qatar, Wales is a small nation with a small population. However, when well thought-out plans and sports development programmes are put in place, success can be achieved. From what l have seen here, l am optimistic for this country’s future and believe Qatar is on track to become a force to reckoned with in sport. Aspire Academy is central to these goals,” he added.
Lee OBE, by just looking at the facilities at Aspire Academy expressed his confidence that Qatar will deliver a memorable FIFA World Cup in 2022.
“After what l have seen of the local approach to sports development, I am confident that Qatar will organise and host a successful 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he said.
He added that the Welsh U-15 gained a lot during their tour to Doha.
“The Welsh U-15 National team is delighted to be invited to play in the Tri-Series competition and, just like the people in Qatar, we in Wales believe that the strength and future of any football team is related to the work done in its football academies," he said.
"It is phenomenal that, whereas elsewhere in the world, football academies are the breeding ground for clubs, here Aspire is doing that for the whole nation of Qatar. This is a fantastic approach that will produce results.”
The Welsh side finished second best in both its matches against Ajax Academy and Aspire Academy.
According to FAW Technical Director, Osian Roberts, this was because both the Aspire and Ajax teams had time to train together in the run up to the competition, whereas the Welsh team had only just assembled from their respective clubs. Roberts added: “It has been a good opportunity to measure our progress and face teams that we do not play against normally. This can only make us better, helping us to assess where we are as a team and where we aim to be. The boys will be disappointed but will learn from the experience and it has been good to participate in the competition. We are grateful to have been invited by Aspire Academy.”
