Major General Dahlan Jumaan Al Hamad, president of the Qatar and Asian federations and vice-president of the IAAF, praised the fruitful cooperation between Aspire and the international and Qatari athletics federations, affirming that Aspire has truly become an important platform for sporting and academic development, and that everyone has the right to benefit from its capabilities and high-level facilities to help drive the wheel of sporting progress and development in Qatar, the region or the world as a whole. He considered the international recognition of Aspire as an international centre a source of pride for Qatar and a gain for the country in becoming a point of sporting radiance for world athletics, extending deep thanks and gratitude to the IAAF family led by Lamine Diack and to Mr Abdulmalek Al Hebeil, the IAAF’s development director, for their valued efforts in translating the agreement into action that everyone will benefit from. Al Hamad, speaking at the opening of the youth athletics coaching congress, added: “To begin, I would like to extend special thanks to Aspire Academy for the great role it plays and for this important gathering. In the past, parents and guardians used to hesitate a great deal over the education of their children who were sporting champions, but with Aspire Academy those concerns have disappeared, and parents have been reassured about their children, since the academy brings together education and sport under one roof, something the Qatar Athletics Federation has also benefited from. We all know the important role coaches play for runners and athletes generally; developing young athletes comes from everyone shouldering their responsibilities with a great deal of seriousness and commitment. That is why coaches have a major role in changing the lives and futures of entire generations.” Major General Al Hamad added that this congress represents an important platform for all of you as coaches to exchange information and experience, and that he was certain they would achieve the benefit they sought from it in future, wishing the participants success and guidance.
