AAGS 2021

8 Dear Fellows Community. It’s a pride and honour that Aspire Academy conducted the 7th Aspire Academy Global Summit 2021 Online through video-conferencing technology last December due to the ongoing covid19 pandemic. Despite being a virtual one, the summit generated excitement and a positive response from the participants, thanks to the creativity and expertise that was involved in making this event a huge success. As you all know, since its 1st edition back in 2014 in Paris, Aspire Academy Global Summit has set itself as our flagship annual event and source of our pride. In the past 6 editions, some of the world’s leading youth football coaches and influential figures in the world of football from 50 elite clubs and federations shared their experiences in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, London and Doha. Likewise, last year’s virtual edition also enhanced our football knowledge just by listening to some of the legends including former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Aspire Academy revels in innovations and creativities. The Aspire Academy Global Summit 2021 was just one of the multiple projects that we delivered with consummate ease. And it speaks volumes of our dedication and approach in seeking the best knowledge from the experts. As we churn out best students from our iconic academy, we also ensure that we pick up the information by listening to these stalwarts during the summits. The theme ‘Aspire Fellows Meet Other Sports’ focused on the possibilities of exchanging ideas between football and other sports on trainings, competitions and athletes. The summit was a great learning experience for all of us who are involved in football and talent management. Aspire Academy believes in a strong knowledge-based system, and our learning process doesn’t begin and end in the advanced and modern classrooms or even on the training pitches. Aspire Academy Global Summits over the years have also bolstered Qatar’s football image, knowledge and philosophy. By listening to the stories of the legends at the summit, we at Aspire Academy have been able to draw lessons and pick up the nuances of the sport. Opening Remarks by Summit Chairman In fact, the success of our various national football teams from U19 team’s 2014 Asian Championship title in Myanmar to senior team’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup historic triumph in the UAE all the way to the last 3rd place in the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 in Doha, are based on philosophies that are closely linked to Aspire Academy Global Summits. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Qatar Football Association for their unstinted support. Our partnership with QFA have worked wonders in churning out success for Qatar football teams -- we are hailed as one of the strong Asian teams in this region today. At Aspire Academy, we have set a benchmark by hosting global sports events and initiatives, and I would like to thank Aspire Zone Foundation for all their support towards this unique football gathering event. The inputs from ‘Who’s Who’ in world football at the Summit has helped us to develop a thought-process that has worked wonders in positioning Qatar as Asia’s top footballing nation. I hope we can continue to deliver more such summits in the years to come as Aspire Academy strongly believes that learning is infinite and has no limits; and look forward to seeing you in the 8th Edition next October 2022. Ali Salem Afifa Chairman Aspire Academy Global Summit