More than 200 children registered to take part in the activities of the Family Open Day program at Qatar Motorsport Academy (QMA) on the 23rd and 24th of November.
Last month Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), Dorna Sports SL and Aspire Academy joined forces and launched the QMA which gives young riders between the ages of eight and 16 years, the opportunity to learn from the experts, improve their skills and abilities, and work their way to becoming a World Champion.
Registrants were made up of 17% Qatari children and there were a total of 25 nationalities represented among all the children.
The briefing that took place after registration was given by Mr. Khalid Al Remaihi (LCSC General Manager and Vice-President), Mr. Richard Tremere (Head of Development Program at Aspire Academy) and José Luis Cardoso (Head of QMA) before heading to the practical sessions.
There is a specific criteria which the children need to fit in order for them to be accepted so after the final selection, the more capable will be chosen to enter the QMA. This will give the coaches more opportunity to focus individually on the riders and to let them progress at a steadier pace and at a more advanced level.
"We are very happy to kick-start the Qatar Motorsports Academy activities,” says Al Remaihi. “We have worked very hard, with the help of Dorna Sports SL and Aspire Academy, to make this project a reality. We are delighted with the response we have received, with more than 200 children pre-registering for Academy. Of course, the Academy capacity is less than this number and we will have to carefully choose who stays with the Academy. It is really nice to see the excitement of all the children that joined us today and amazing to share this experience with all of them."
"I am very happy to see many kids at the beginning of our Academy,” adds Cardoso. “It has been a few months of hard work, enthusiasm and desire to see our goals fulfilled. The participation of our riders has been incredible and I am sure that we will enjoy passing our experience on to the kids. Thanks to all the team for the great work done."
Qatari rider Saeed Al Sulaiti, one of the QMA coaches, adds: I'm very happy because we've been waiting for an academy like this for a long time. Having partners like Dorna and Aspire is a guarantee for all of us and this great project. I did not expect to have so much demand from the beginning so I am very happy about it."