(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar Airways, FC Barcelona and Aspire Academy hosted a friendly match at Miniestadi, Barcelona, between QA and Aspire Academy - Football Dreams Africa team and FC Barcelona's Infantil A team.
The match represented a milestone for young players, especially those coming from Africa to Barcelona as they marked their first year in the Aspire Football Dreams programme.
This is the first time QA has partnered with the academy on the project to form Football Dreams Africa team.
The programme provides 15 young players from developing countries in Africa with opportunity to reach the heights of international football through training and development at their academy in Senegal.
The match was held May 22 and Football Dreams Africa team won 4-0, thanks to goals by Nasry Daudi Azizi, Shafic Ssebyala, Isaac Nuhu and Ismael Stephane Quattara Dao.
Infantil A players challenged Football Dreams Africa team with five attempts on goal goalkeeper Appiah Kubi blocked.
Marwan Koleilat, Chief Commercial Officer, QA, and Ali Sultan Fakhroo, Director, Corporate Services, Aspire Academy, presented the trophy and medals to Football Dreams Africa team captain Leslie Adeniah.
Koleilat said: "The match is a celebration of months of hard work by players and staff involved.
"Through the programme young players in Africa are given opportunity to participate, develop and excel in a sport they love and possibly turn it into a full-time career. QA is delighted to be able to support the initiative."
Fakhroo said: "We are delighted that QA decided to partner with us in the initiative and we are convinced that the experience for the boys travelling to Spain to compete against the youth team of FC Barcelona will be an extra motivation for them to put as much energy as possible into fulfilling their dreams of becoming professional football players."
During a four-day visit to Barcelona, Football Dreams Africa team trained in FC Barcelona sports centre, Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, tour Camp Nou Tour, and visit FCB museum, La Masia.
In the build-up to the weekend, fans showed support by designing their jersey for Football Dreams Africa team in an online competition.
Prizes for the winners include Business and Economy Class QA tickets, 10 FC Barcelona jerseys, 10 FC Barcelona goodie bags and double tickets for tours of Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona.
The 13-year-olds of Football Dreams Africa team represent countries, including Ghana, Gambia, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Guinea and Senegal.
Many have trained for Aspire Football Dreams annual try-outs in the hope of becoming professional footballers.
Launched in 2007, Aspire Football Dreams each year selects up to 20 boys who attend the academy to train, compete, study and learn to manage their lives and careers successfully.
Having tested four million players, Aspire Football Dreams is the largest talent search in football.
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