06 January 2019 – Doha, Qatar:
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has welcomed four top flight European teams this week to complete winter football training camps. Teams include German side FC Bayern Munich, Dutch team PSV Eindhoven and Belgian sides Club Brugge and KAS Eupen.
During the world-class teams’ training camps, AZF also welcomed a number of VIP dignitaries including the Dutch Ambassador to Qatar, Dr Bahia Tahzib-Lie who visited PSV’s training camp, and Qatar's Ambassador to Germany, HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani who visited FC Bayern Munich’s training camp.
HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and CEO of Aspire Zone Foundation, Mohamed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi and Sporting Director of FC Bayern Munich Hasan Salihamidžić were seen on the football pitch witnessing the training camps.
Commenting on his visit to FC Bayern Munich’s training camp, HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said: “Hosting Bayern Munich for the ninth consecutive year clearly demonstrates how the State of Qatar has become a regional sports capital and reflects the strength of the welcome and hospitality extended to international teams who visit this awe-inspiring sports hub.”
HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani added: “The fact that FC Bayern Munich choses Aspire for their winter camp each year is clear evidence of the world-class facilities and infrastructure that is on offer, as well as the expertise that is available.”
"Aspire Zone's global reputation for hosting training camps for major European teams will definitely open the doors for hosting greater numbers of training camps in Qatar. Ten international football teams are currently in Aspire, all of whom are eager to take advantage of its world class training, accommodation and entertainment facilities” HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Concluded.
Mr. Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, CEO of Aspire Zone, said: "We’re delighted to welcome these top-flight teams to Doha and, in particular, to Aspire Zone. We’re fully prepared to provide a wide range of technical, administrative and medical support. I wish all the teams all the success in the second half of the year.”
Hasan Salihamidžić, Sporting Director of FC Bayern Munich, expressed his appreciation for the visit by Aspire’s CEO Mr. Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi and HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and praised the planning and preparation made for the camps. He added that Aspire Zone took care of the team’s entire requirements from an organizational and logistical point of view, and indicated the areas that the team will be focusing on during their current training camp.
It is expected that FC Bayern Munich will hold a media briefing for local and regional media with its players Arjen Robben and Thiago Alcântara on Monday 7thDecember. In addition, Dutch team PSV Eindhoven is scheduled to hold a press conference with the media on Thursday.
Dutch Ambassador visits PSV Eindhoven’s training camp
FC Bayern Munich’s 9th visit to Aspire Zone validates its world-class facilities and indicates Qatar’s status as sporting capital Qatar’s according to Ambassador to Germany HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani