Gulf Times
Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol visited Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) yesterday to see AZF’s renowned global facilities and get a closer view of the role of its member organisations – Aspire Academy, Aspetar, and Aspire Logistics – in transforming Qatar into an international sports hub.
Led by Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of AZF, the princess and her delegation began their tour at Aspire Dome, exploring its impressive facilities in detail and witnessing a number of Winter Camp activities currently being held at Aspire Zone.
During the tour of the Academy, the princess stopped at one of the classrooms to listen to a detailed explanation by the Director of Education and Student affairs, Badr al-Hay and Aspire Academy’s School Principal, Jassem al-Jaber, about the learning environment at the Academy, which integrates an international academic curriculum with comprehensive sports training. Jassem al-Jaber described the day-to-day operation of the Academy, its distinguished role in educating Qatar’s next generation of sports stars, and the goals it is busy achieving in pursuit of the development goals set out in the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The princess also met young student-athletes – eager to fulfill their full potential, hearing how Aspire Academy’s approach benefits them and what they hope to achieve as Qatar’s sports scene continues to grow from strength to strength.
Towards the end of the visit, the princess took a moment to praise the facilities and the world-class services on offer before Mohammed Khalifa al-Suwaidi presented her with a memorial trophy.