Aspire’s al-Tamimi is Asian Junior Player of the Year

By Sports Reporter/DohaThe Asian Squash Federation (ASF) has named Qatari teenager, a graduate of Aspire Academy, Abdulla al-Tamimi the Outstanding Asian Junior Player of the Year in recognition of his superb performances in 2013.The award marks a year in which he climbed to the top of the World Junior Circuit rankings, retained his Dutch u-19 Open trophy in Amsterdam, and claimed fourth spot at the World Junior Championships in Poland.The 19-year-old faces a challenging period ahead as he moves from the junior leagues into senior tournaments, where he is currently ranked No 73 worldwide. A testing summer of fixtures begins in Hong Kong later this month, where he will represent Qatar at the Asian Team World Championships. Al-Tamimi will be presented with his ASF award during the tournament, becoming the first Qatari to receive the honour.“I am humbled and delighted to have my hard work and efforts recognised by this award from the Asian Squash Federation,” he said.“I would like to thank my coaches Geoff Hunt and Stewart Boswell, the Qatar Squash Federation and my teammates in the Qatar national team for their continued support. Furthermore I also wish to express my gratitude to my sponsors, Aspire Academy in Doha, and its many members of staff who have assisted in my ambitions of becoming a top international squash player.”Al-Tamimi was born in Doha and began playing squash as a six-year-old. He spent six years at Aspire Academy as a student-athlete, and has been a member of the Qatar Squash Federation (QSF) for more than a decade.Nabeel Ali bin Ali, President of the QSF, said the Federation was “incredibly proud” of the youngster’s achievements. “Abdulla joined the QSF in December 2002, at the age of eight, and since then we have had the privilege of watching him develop into the world-class athlete he is today,” he enthused. His success also demonstrates that the excellent relationship shared between the QSF and Aspire Academy is now beginning to bear fruit for Qatar squash in general.“I am confident that many more young Qatari squash players will benefit from our strong links and co-operation in the near future.”In recent years al-Tamimi has become a role model for young athletes in Qatar, particularly those studying at Aspire Academy with hopes of pursuing professional sports careers of their own.