Aspire
English former professional footballer and 1966 World Cup hero, Sir Geoffrey Hurst is visiting Qatar and toured Aspire Academy on Wednesday 10th April 2019. The Englishman remains the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, when England beat West Germany in 1966 was taken round the newly completed Aspire Football Performance Centre where he was seen constantly mouth-agape in awe at the place and its facilities.
Speaking at the end of his tour Sir Geoff Hurst remarked, “I have been pleasantly surprised and very much impressed by what l have seen of Qatar, the FIFA 2022 World Cup host nation. I am taking back to England with me the story that in Aspire Academy, Qatar has a world class sports development institution which is the best l have ever seen. I am from an older generation and we did things differently but here in Qatar they set up and put together what every footballer and sportsperson would dream of for their preparation and you understand why this Qatar 2022 World Cup will be terrific and a celebration for all football loving people of the world.”