Khalfan to inspire youth through new Aspire commercial

Khalfan Ibrahim Khalfan (second from right) receives a memento at the press conference unveiling the Aspire Academy television commercial yesterday. Hassan Juma (right) has also acted in the commercial. PICTURE: Othman Iraqi

By Sports Reporter/Doha

He probably did not even look at the AFC Player of the Year trophy again after receiving it in 2006. And the QFA Player of the Year he received earlier this year.

“That’s the way he avoids being cocky and arrogant,” says Ward Abdulla, the Marketing and Communications Manager at Aspire Academy. “He is among the top athletes from Qatar and a role-model to many aspiring players in the country.”

It’s exactly this that Aspire Academy has tried to demonstrate in the new advertising commercial that was launched at a press conference yesterday in the presence of the Al Sadd and Qatar National Team star.

The commercial, which the Academy has launched with the help of Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Stars League (QSL), demonstrates the Academy’s commitment to nurturing and training young talented student athletes to become champions in sport and life.

It focuses on a young Qatari boy, played by Hassan Juma, and his football hero, Khalfan Ibrahim. Through a series of scenes filmed at Aspire Academy, Khalifa Stadium and other locations around the city, Juma explains how Aspire Academy provides the necessary tools for aspiring athletes to achieve excellence, including a dedicated team of coaches, teachers, sports scientists and state-of-the-art facilities.

Abdulla added: “Through this TVC we wanted to showcase what Aspire Academy is all about, especially when addressing the local community. Our key message is that we are the right place for talented athletes in Qatar.”

Discussing his depiction as a role model in the advertisement, Khalfan said, “This was my first time acting, and it was a great experience. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the campaign that aims to encourage young athletes to work hard to achieve their dreams.”

Khalfan added: “When I win the Player of the Year, it is not an award for Khalfan Ibrahim, it is an award for the whole of Qatar. If I can do it, so can many other youngsters and athletes. It is a matter of dedication and hard work. It is about going that extra mile over what your coaches have asked you to do.”

According to Abdulla, the Academy will be revealing other commercials with other Qatari athletes in the future.

Nine-year-old Aspire Feeders group footballer, Hassan Juma, said: “I really enjoyed acting in the commercial, I had a lot of fun. I also got to meet Khalfan Ibrahim Khalfan, a famous Qatari football player, which was really exciting.”

The advertisement was directed by Christian Lyngbye and was produced by the independent production house City Films in collaboration of Fortune Promo Seven agency.

Following the official unveiling, the commercial will be aired on national television channels as well as a selection of regional and international media outlets.