Aspire Academy has firmly established itself as a global leader in sports development and innovation. Operating within the Aspire Zone Foundation—an international hub for sports excellence—is central to a dynamic sporting revolution unfolding in Qatar and across the region. Its initiatives contribute significantly to transforming Qatar into a global sports destination fostering athletic talent and innovation on an international scale. Aspire Academy, in line with its numerous initiatives to elevate sports, annually hosts the Global Summit—a vital platform for participants to exchange knowledge, gain insights and explore new avenues for growth in football. The two-day 2024 gathering, beginning tomorrow, will mark the prestigious event’s 10th edition, coinciding with Aspire Academy’s milestone 20th anniversary. It will be the third time that the Global Summit will be hosted in Qatar, having launched in Paris in 2014. Berlin, the prestigious Amsterdam Arena and Rome were among the destinations for the platform. The Aspire Academy has planned special edition of the summit hosting it in the stunning surroundings of the Qatari desert at the Sealine Regency Camp. The Global Summit features a prominent lineup of special guests and this year will be no different. It promises an engaging lineup, headlined by a Masterclass from Francesco Farioli, former Aspire Academy coach and current Ajax Amsterdam manager. The summit will feature Star Chats with notable figures, including legendary Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta and French coaches Rudi Garcia and Christophe Galtier – a current Al Duhail coach. Italian basketball coach Sergio Scariolo, celebrated for guiding Spain to a World Cup victory and four EuroBasket titles is also among the guests. Delegates will also participate in interactive workshops and roundtables, aligning with Aspire Academy’s commitment to advancing sports innovation and growth. Chairman of the Aspire Academy Global Summit Ali Salem Afifa said: “Qatar’s stature in global football took another step forward this year as the national team was crowned Asian football champions on home soil in February. Just like the team that won in 2019, the majority of the squad consisted of Aspire Academy graduates, which highlights the incredible work we do at Aspire. Developing global football and taking the sport to new levels is exactly why we brought together the Aspire in the World Fellows community, which is so we can all share new strategies and innovations.” This year’s topics are: Mind the gap (the evolution of football performance and science over the last decade); The technical-tactical (r)evolution of the last ten years in football; The future of football performance: what’s next? The Summit stands as a testament to Aspire Academy’s dedication to enhancing the growth of football at all levels and its recognition of the vital importance of collective effort and continuous learning in driving the sport forward.
