The recently launched Qatar Sports Business District (QSBD) has marked a major step forward in its goal to become a leading hub in the region for sports innovation by signing a representative office of LaLiga as an anchor tenant. As one of the most popular leagues in the world, the news that Laliga, the Spanish professional league, is backing the Qatar Sports Business District is a huge testament to the strategic vision of Aspire Zone Foundation, and the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) in launching the initiative.
The new agreement is a further demonstration of La Liga’s commitment to developing football all over the globe, promoting Spanish football’s values and La Liga’s management methods across the continents. The MoU paves the way for a long-term strategic partnership with the Spanish league that is expected to support collaboration in various areas including sports education and promotion, as well as the development of strategic projects and knowledge exchange.
There has been considerable interest in the Qatar Sports Business District from a wide range of sports industry businesses and sports technology start-ups since it was launched last year. The news of LaLiga’s involvement reflects strong interest shown by a number of other significant entities and organisations.
Commenting on this strategic partnership, Abdulla Nasser al-Naimi, Director General of Aspire Logistics, member organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation said: “We’re thrilled to announce such a prestigious organisation as the QSBD very first tenant. The QSBD is the perfect vehicle to build on this, and the interest shown by La Liga and a wide range of other organisations to date is a clear validation of this model. This also demonstrates our commitment to fulfil our mission to enhance sports performance at all aspects.”
“We strongly believe that the involvement of tenants of such calibre as La Liga will help catalyse further new business opportunities for the private sector, attract foreign investment and push Qatari entrepreneurs forward. It further reinforces Qatar’s status as the sporting capital of the Middle East.” al-Naemi added.
On this occasion; Fernando Sanz, Director of International Institutional Relations and Director of the La Liga Ambassadors and Legends project from La Liga said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Aspire Zone Foundation on this long-term strategic partnership and are very impressed with the goals they have set forth and their upcoming vision. We can only hope that this partnership will ultimately benefit the footballing community and enhance the love and passion for sports in Qatar.”
Sports Accelerator is one of the most visible initiatives that comprise the ‘Qatar’s Sports Business District’ (QSBD), an all-inclusive, first-of-its-kind facility that was announced by AZF and the QFC last year. 
The new national project aims to create a premier sports business cluster in Qatar and the Middle East and capitalise on the huge potential available to the sports industry sector which continues to grow in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar and beyond.
La Liga’s firm commitment to supporting broader educational goals has led the institution to create the “LaLiga Business School” to identify, recruit and train a wide range of talented professionals through programmes and initiatives that comprise football management, methodologies and analysis. Part of La Liga Business School’s initial operations will be delivered from its brand-new office in the QSBD. 
Such developments will also play a key role in fulfilling Qatar’s National Vision 2030, helping to build a diverse, knowledge-based economy by positioning Qatar as a leading regional and international sports hub.
The QSBD reflects AZF’s significant contribution to develop the country as the ideal location for a wide range of sports-related businesses. The Qatar Sports Accelerator is one of the centrepieces of the QSBD and comprises a building designed to fit 80 offices.