Qatar's double Olympic medallists Mutaz Essa Barshim is also an Aspire graduate.
Aspire Academy today will celebrate the graduation of 38 student-athletes in several sports, including football, squash, athletics, gymnastics, table tennis, and fencing, who will make up the next generation of Qatar’s sports teams and clubs.
Senior officials from Aspire Zone will attend the ceremony, along with representatives from local sports federations and education institutions. Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President of Qatar University, is the event’s guest of honour.
This event reflects Aspire Academy’s decade of commitment to the development of young local talents and national teams in Qatar.
Ever since it embarked on a path to become a global leader in sports and academic excellence by 2020, Aspire Academy has sought to provide a comprehensive academic, social and sporting programme for it student-athletes.
Aspire Academy has along line-up of former graduates who have left a mark in sports on a local, regional and international levels. Their achievements are further proof of Aspire Academy’s excellence. Prominent success stories across various sports:
Mutaz Essa Barshim: High Jumper, 2009 Graduate
Mutaz Barshim is a Qatari track and field athlete who specialises in the high jump. He is the national record and Asian record holder with a best mark of 2.43 m. He won Qatar’s first-ever silver Olympic medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. His silver-medal win landed him the Athlete of the Year award at the Esquire Man in 2016. Barshim is currently maintaining the lead at the IAAF Diamond League for the 2016/2017.
Speaking about Aspire Academy, Barshim said: “Aspire Academy played a vital role in my sporting development. One of the biggest challenges an inspiring athlete faces is being able to have the right balance between school and training. Luckily for us, Aspire Academy’s organised learning approach has supported us in finding and maintaining that balance. After going through a lot at the Academy, it has become a part of my family, and I always keep in touch with teachers, coaches and administrative staff.”
Fahad Ali Shnain Al Abdulrahman: Football player, 2014 Graduate
Fahad Al Abdul Rahman Shnain is a football left-back who currently plays for Belgian First Division A side KAS Eupen on loan from Al Sadd SC. He represented the Qatar national football team on several occasions. The 22-year-old defender won second place in the ‘Le Lion Belge 2017’ awards for the best upcoming Arab players in the Belgian league.
Speaking about Aspire Academy, Al Abdulrahman said: “I wouldn’t have been the athlete I am today if it weren’t for Aspire Academy, and for that I’m eternally grateful. The Academy plays an important role in the development of youth talents in Qatar.”
Ashraf El Seify – Hammer thrower, 2014 Graduate
Ashraf El Seify is a Qatari hammer thrower. Among his greatest achievements were winning Gold medals at the 14th IAAF World Junior Championships 2012 in Barcelona, Spain with a record-breaking throw of 85.57m, and then again at the 15th IAAF World Junior Championships 2014 in Eugene, USA.
These wins made him the first athlete in the history of the World Junior Athletics Championships to successfully defend his title.
Speaking about the Academy, he said: “Balancing an academic and sporting career is not always easy. But Aspire Academy allows us to do that, with lessons via the internet or special classes with teachers. It's the perfect environment in every sense and you receive exactly the kind of support you need to be able to reach your full sporting potential.”
