Aspire Academy recently celebrated its 15th batch of graduation with the second largest group since the launch of the academy in 2004.
After last year’s record 51 students who stepped out of the academy, 45 student-athletes were capped at this year's ceremony to mark the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
The ceremony took place at the Aspire Dome in the presence of top dignitaries, members of the academy’s senior management and parents of the student-athletes.
Ivan Bravo, Aspire Academy director-general, eulogised the resilience, dedication and mental strength of the graduating student-athletes for overcoming challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It’s a truly joyous moment for you all. I would also like to thank the coaches and teachers. They’re the ones who nurture the students. They are also a part of this incredible journey,” said Bravo in his speech addressed to the graduates. “This year’s graduation ceremony is unique. You’re the class of '22 as you’re passing out in an important year when Qatar is hosting the FIFA World Cup.”
Bravo also told the students to retain the character, values and legacy that constitutes the ethics of Aspire Academy.
The 15th graduation batch comprised student-athletes across eight sporting disciplines: football (24), athletics (11), football referees (3), squash (2), swimming (2), fencing (1), motorsport (1) and gymnastics (1).
It was the second highest number of student-athletes to graduate since the first batch in 2008.
Aspire Academy's director of Education and Student Affairs, Badr al-Hay, congratulated the graduates and praised their efforts during their stay at the academy.
“Graduation is only the end of high school, but a second phase of your life has just begun,” said al-Badr during his speech. “This is an important day for you all. We at Aspire Academy are very proud to see you move onto the next phase in your lives. We’re hopeful and confident that the qualities of true champions that you learnt at the academy will guide you well.”
Shaheen al-Habshi, who graduated as one of the three football referees, was nurtured at Aspire Academy by the Qatar Football Association Refereeing Department and was assigned to officiate a range of matches from (U-13 right through to the second division Qatargas League).
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be in this pioneering academy that changed the course of my life and led me to develop and highlight my talent. I was able to develop and refine my talent in refereeing through my academic studies at Aspire,” said al-Habshi, who was also trained in video technology and assigned to officiate matches as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operator.
Abdel-Majid Mahadjir, one of the upcoming athletes in the country, credited Aspire Academy for developing his personality and mental strength.
“I will always be thankful to Aspire Academy. My self-confidence increased and I was able to balance studies and sports,” said Abdel-Majid, who boasts of a couple of international achievements against his name at the West Asian, Arab and GCC Athletics Championships.
Artistic gymnast Rakan al-Harith, who represented Qatar in several top international events while he was a student at the academy, spoke highly of the academy’s teaching methodology.
“I’ve gained a lot of life experience since joining Aspire Academy, most notably time management and self-reliance. At the academic level, I have learned to be fluent in Spanish,” said 17-year-old Rakan.
Khaled Hussein reflected on how Aspire Academy shaped his career in fencing.
"After joining Aspire, I learned discipline. The academy gave me the mentality of a professional athlete," said Hussein, who has done exceptionally well at the Arab Championships.
The ceremony took place at the Aspire Dome in the presence of top dignitaries, members of the academy’s senior management and parents of the student-athletes.
Ivan Bravo, Aspire Academy director-general, eulogised the resilience, dedication and mental strength of the graduating student-athletes for overcoming challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It’s a truly joyous moment for you all. I would also like to thank the coaches and teachers. They’re the ones who nurture the students. They are also a part of this incredible journey,” said Bravo in his speech addressed to the graduates. “This year’s graduation ceremony is unique. You’re the class of '22 as you’re passing out in an important year when Qatar is hosting the FIFA World Cup.”
Bravo also told the students to retain the character, values and legacy that constitutes the ethics of Aspire Academy.
The 15th graduation batch comprised student-athletes across eight sporting disciplines: football (24), athletics (11), football referees (3), squash (2), swimming (2), fencing (1), motorsport (1) and gymnastics (1).
It was the second highest number of student-athletes to graduate since the first batch in 2008.
Aspire Academy's director of Education and Student Affairs, Badr al-Hay, congratulated the graduates and praised their efforts during their stay at the academy.
“Graduation is only the end of high school, but a second phase of your life has just begun,” said al-Badr during his speech. “This is an important day for you all. We at Aspire Academy are very proud to see you move onto the next phase in your lives. We’re hopeful and confident that the qualities of true champions that you learnt at the academy will guide you well.”
Shaheen al-Habshi, who graduated as one of the three football referees, was nurtured at Aspire Academy by the Qatar Football Association Refereeing Department and was assigned to officiate a range of matches from (U-13 right through to the second division Qatargas League).
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be in this pioneering academy that changed the course of my life and led me to develop and highlight my talent. I was able to develop and refine my talent in refereeing through my academic studies at Aspire,” said al-Habshi, who was also trained in video technology and assigned to officiate matches as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) operator.
Abdel-Majid Mahadjir, one of the upcoming athletes in the country, credited Aspire Academy for developing his personality and mental strength.
“I will always be thankful to Aspire Academy. My self-confidence increased and I was able to balance studies and sports,” said Abdel-Majid, who boasts of a couple of international achievements against his name at the West Asian, Arab and GCC Athletics Championships.
Artistic gymnast Rakan al-Harith, who represented Qatar in several top international events while he was a student at the academy, spoke highly of the academy’s teaching methodology.
“I’ve gained a lot of life experience since joining Aspire Academy, most notably time management and self-reliance. At the academic level, I have learned to be fluent in Spanish,” said 17-year-old Rakan.
Khaled Hussein reflected on how Aspire Academy shaped his career in fencing.
"After joining Aspire, I learned discipline. The academy gave me the mentality of a professional athlete," said Hussein, who has done exceptionally well at the Arab Championships.