Beckham visits Aspire Academy, meets students

Tribune News Network Doha Former England football captain David Beckham visited the Aspire Academy on Tuesday and had a tour of its world-class facilities...

Tribune News NetworkDoha Former England football captain David Beckham visited the Aspire Academy on Tuesday and had a tour of its world-class facilities.The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Paris Saint German star was welcomed by Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, CEO Aspire Zone Foundation, Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director General, Aspire Academy, and Alanoud Al Mesnad, Director of Marketing and Communications at Aspire Academy.During the tour, the guest received in-depth explanations on the work and services offered by the academy, as one of the three members of AZF, along with Aspire Logistics, and Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital to its student athletes both in terms of education and Sports side as well as the high technology used for student athlete’s performance to develop champions in sports and life.Speaking about Aspire Academy, Beckham said: “Academy systems are so important. When I started my football club in Miami, the academy was a huge focus because it is where the future players learn to become great. I have always believed in the power of academies, like Aspire Academy, because it breeds the future for clubs and for countries and gives young people the opportunities to train and act like professional players. They are so important for the future of the game and to see Aspire Academy and the amazing facilities it offers is very special.” Beckham met with a group of Aspire Academy football student athletes and shared well received tips around free kicks, while using the 3D video analysis system located in the Aspire Football Performance Center. It is an integration of different technologies (3D marks less system, force platforms and live feedback) that allows the analysis in depth of specific technical gestures as free kick. The player can see live and in slow motion their performance on a giant screen from eight different angles; providing an instant and unique opportunity to enhance this important skill for modern football). Offering encouragement to the Academy players to continue to work hard, Beckham added: “To have an academy like this is important but it is also down to the individuals to want to come here and work every day and work with great coaches and great facilities and know how lucky they are but they have to know that they have to work hard.” At the end of his visit, Beckham received an Aspire Academy football t-shirt with his name and his famous number 7 and posed with the young footballers for a photo. He signed one for the academy and signed the Aspire Academy Wall of Fame.