By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
Some 33 student-athletes of Aspire Academy received their respective diplomas at the institution’s 6th commencement held at the Aspire Dome yesterday.
“They are very special, very good and have represented our country in various international competitions,” said school principal Jassem al-Jaber.
Besides sport trainings, the student-athletes have excelled in their academic studies: science, arts and mathematics, according to al-Jaber. Many of them are football players while some have been playing athletics, fencing and gymnastics.
The principal has expressed confidence that the new batch of graduates will excel in their own fields of endeavour after receiving what he described as “high quality” education from the academy.
The graduation ceremony was attended by hundreds of student-athletes, parents and Aspire officials.
Many of the graduates have stayed for five to six years in the academy. They joined different camps and underwent rigorous training sessions every day.
In his testimonial, football athlete Ahmad Moein Doozandeh said that he had benefited a lot from the academy’s programmes. He had the opportunity to compete in prestigious sports events in Qatar and abroad.
“I’ve learned to manage my time, respect the rules and to maintain a high level of self-discipline,” he stressed. “Academically, I’ve become fluent in the English language and as well as competent on the computer.”
Based on his coach and teachers’ testimonials, Ahmad is a considerate, well-mannered student-athlete who has good communication skills.
For gymnastics athlete Hamad Abdulbari Mohamed al-Sadi, balancing academic studies and sports trainings are the most important things he learned during his stay at Aspire.
Like Ahmad, Hamad’s interaction with many students and teachers has also improved his English, both oral and written. He had the chance to compete at the 2011 Birmingham TRA World Championship. He also took part in other prestigious competitions like the Arab championship held in Qatar in the same year.
Many of the graduates said they will pursue their sports career but vowed to continue studying in international universities and academic institutions. Some of the graduates want to become professional trainers and coaches in the future.
“Sports-wise, I would like to continue participating in major international competitions, hopefully, acquiring more world titles. Career-wise, I see myself as a coach or a trainer in an American University,” said athletics player Muamer Aissa Mohamed Barsham.
In his message, Aspire Zone vice president Tariq A. Aziz al-Naama said they were working hard in producing world-calibre athletes by providing them with the needed tools and skills.
He cited the academy’s achievements in many international competitions highlighting Mutaz Barshim’s bronze medal win in high jump during the 2012 London Olympics.
“These achievements are clear demonstration of the academy’s aim to develop well-educated, sports champions,” he said.
Aspire Academy officials, school principal Jassem al-Jaber, director general Ivan Bravo, and director of Education and Students’ Care Badr Jassim al-H
