By Samindra Kunti
October 5 – The 2015 ASPIRE4SPORT Congress & Exhibition got underway in the German capital Berlin today. Key stakeholders in the game and performance specialists from clubs and federations are gathering at the summit which has a schedule based on sharing information and experiences of how to create successful structures at the top level of the sport.
In Westhafen, Berlin, director of football performance and science at Aspire Academy professor Valter Di Salvo welcomed the representatives from clubs and federations, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and the CBF.
Thereafter Juan Sebastian Veron took center stage to deliver the key note in the absence of Marcelo Bielsa. The former Manchester United player is currently the chairman of Argentine club Estudiantes de La Plata.
“I was difficult to manage,” reflected Veron on his playing days. “Sometimes I thought I was the center of the universe. I was always right, in possession of the truth. The trainers and coaches were suffering, but over time this sinks in.”
Borussia Dortmund’s coach Thomas Tuchel, Dutch football legends Clarence Seedorf, Frank Rijkaard and Johan Cruyff, and German legend Stefan Effenberg are also on the guest list and will deliver their insights on the game over the next two days in Berlin.
The event has rapidly established itself as one of the leading congresses in football. In 2014, Paris hosted the congress, adding the chapter ‘Football Performance and Science’, including discussions on training load, player position, developing mental strength, injury prevention and technology and research. In Paris three strategic partnerships were announced: Aspire Zone, Qatar Football Association and Serie A made a joint announcement that the Italian 2014 Super Cup between Juventus – Napoli would be played in Qatar; the World Sport Company presented the Legends World Cup and the ‘Leaders Under 40’ awards were proposed.
The ASPIRE4SPORT Congress & Exhibition can be seen as part of Qatar’s drive to propel itself on to the world stage as a dynamic Gulf nation. The Qatar National Vision 2030 is central the country’s developments plans and envisions Qatar as a dependable economic player, away from a sole focus on the hydrocarbon industry. This year Qatar’s GDP is projected to hit $219 billion, boasting the highest per capita GDP in the world.
This year’s ASPIRE4SPORT Congress & Exhibition in Berlin sees a continuation of the Global Summit related to Football Performance and Science, organized by Aspire Academy. Aspire Zone and IFP Qatar LLC, a leading trade fairs organizer, organize meetings for European sports industry suppliers with Qatari authorities and companies, including Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Stars League.
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