Tribune News Network
Doha
Aspire Academy hosted its annual induction evening for the parents of all its student-athletes on Tuesday evening. The meeting, organised at the start of the 2022-23 academic year, emphasised the importance of the academy’s working with the parents to ensure that their sons develop both on the sports field and in the classroom.
It was the first meeting which parents of all student-athletes at the academy could attend since 2019 after the disruption cause by the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Arabic teacher Ali Ayoub acting as master of ceremonies, the first to address the parents was Deputy Director Ali Salem, who spoke after Grade-7 student-athlete Abdalla Elsawi recited from Holy Qur’an.
Following Ali Ayoub’s speech,Football Department Technical Director Edorta Murua, Head of Team Coordinators in the Sports Department Mohamed Al -Thawadi, Director of the Sports Medicine Centre Dr Francisco Moreira and Aspire Academy School Principal Jassem Al Jaber were welcomed to the stage.
The four speakers each outlined how their department and team of experts will contribute to the development of the student-athletes during their time at the academy.
In his welcoming comments, Salem also pointed out what an exceptional time the academy and Qatar as a nation has ahead. “It is a real honour that we are hosting the Fifa World Cup here in Qatar and we are proud of the part we are playing in the event,” he said. “I must also underline that it will not impede our sports training or our academic lessons. We have plans and alternatives to ensure things continue as normally as possible while Aspire Academy helps host teams.”
Murua explained that the lessons learned during training have an impact away from the football pitch too. “Education here is about how the school and sport can work together to help create a player’s personality,” he said. “We are not only about football skills we also help decision making and showing how small details can have an impact.
A short video from the department showed the parents that their sons are expected to ask questions and be part of their own development.
Al Thawadi told the parents about the many experts involved in the everyday life of the student-athletes from coaches to physiology to nutrition to psychology.
“One of the most important things though is our relationship with you the parents,” he said. “I would also like to ask you the parents to help us with making sure your sons get rest – when your sons come home that rest and recovery time is as vital as the hard work they do here at the academy.”
Dr Moreira pointed out that his team and the coaches do their very best to avoid injuries but they are part and parcel of elite training.
He added they work closely with the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital and so when they do occur they can be treated to the very highest standards
School principal Al Jaber further emphasised the teamwork needed throughout the academy to ensure the best learning environment for the student-athletes.
After the remarks from the directors the parents were invited to ask questions and one posed by several of them was about their sons’ academic educations while they are away from the school competing or training. All of the directors assured everyone at the meeting that this was a priority and that several measures are in place to ensure the student-athlete’s do not all behind academically.
