The launch of the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar was the first sports academy of its kind in the Middle East.  Nearly 2 years in preparation, a multi million pound budget, and an infamous line up of sporting heroes, the Academy was finally launched in 2007.

The three day event was designed to celebrate world sporting achievement and mark the opening of the largest indoor sports dome in the world.

The Emir, His Highness, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, was joined by members of the Royal Family, local and International VIP’s, dignitaries and leading business figures to watch a breath-taking Opening Ceremony staged in the athletics stadium within The ASPIRE dome. The show which featured appearances by international sporting legends including Pele,  Maradona, Mark Spitz, Ed Moses and Nadia Comaneci, included aerialists, dancers, hundreds of Local Qatari children,  the ASPIRE students and the world famous Cirque du Soleil.