Doha: Aspire Academy has opened its new football season with a series of residential training camps for its youth age groups, laying the groundwork for the season ahead and a slate of domestic and international competitions.
According to Qatar News Agency, the opening week featured the 2011 and 2012 age groups, followed by the 2010 group, before 2013 and 2014 squads wrapped up the program. Ahead of the new season, Spanish coach Mikel Antia has returned to Aspire Academy as its Technical and Methodology Manager. It marks his second stint with the Academy after previously serving on its staff from 2012 to 2016.
Antia brings a wealth of expertise from his professional career as a footballer and his training stints at several clubs, including working alongside Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United and, most recently, at Leeds United, a Premier League club. The Spanish coach noted that Qatar's hosting of the next four editions of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup could provide a major boost to the development of football in the country.
Antia emphasized that everyone, from the institution to the coaches and footballers, should understand what is required to compete against the best. He added that players need to be equipped with suitable tools, a responsibility he is tasked to fulfill, to ensure footballers remain focused. The Academy's pitches will once again host the FIFA U-17 World Cup from Nov. 19 to Dec. 13, with Qatar's roster expected to include several Aspire Academy student-athletes and graduates.