Doha, 22 April 2019

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) visited Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) to witness the sporting organisation’s renowned global facilities and get a closer look at the vital role its member organizations - Aspire Academy, Aspetar, and Aspire Logistics – play in supporting the sports sector and professional athletes in Qatar and around the world.

Pololikashvili and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by Abdullah Nasser Al-Naimi, Director General, Aspire Logistics. He toured the delegation around Azpire Zone Facilities to witness the world-class sport hub.

The delegation also visited Aspire Academy and Aspetar - Orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital. They were also given tour of  Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar’s first 40,000-seater tournament ready venue that will host games during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

At the end of his tour to the Sports facilities, Pololikashvili expressed his admiration and said, 'My experience today was unique and confirmed the opinion I have heard from plenty of renowned athletes that have had the chance to visit Aspire Zone Foundation and witnessed its one-of-a-kind distinguished facilities first hand. The organisation’s mix of a medical hospital, academic school and international standard venues makes it one of the world’s foremost sporting institutions. I congratulate the State of Qatar for constructing something as impressive as Aspire and wish it all the success for the future.'

Pololikashvili said, 'I was also delighted to have been able to visit one of the venues that will host matches at the next FIFA World Cup, where I understand they are expecting over a million tourists, all of whom will have the opportunity to explore Qatar and its rich culture, traditions and hospitality. I’m excited that the World Tourism Organization will be able to work with Qatar’s National Tourism Council in the build up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup to ensure tourists understand what Qatar is like and what they can expect from the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Middle East.'