Doha, 11 Oct. 2025

The 2025 Aspetar World Conference on Sports Medicine concluded successfully at the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome, drawing over 1,000 international participants to discuss the future of the field.

During the closing ceremony, Acting Director General Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi announced the dates for Aspetar’s upcoming scientific gatherings, including a 2026 Sports Rehabilitation Conference and the second World Conference in 2027, which will mark the hospital’s 20th anniversary. Conference Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari emphasized the event's role in fostering global collaboration and innovation to enhance athlete health and performance.

The final day's scientific program featured leading experts addressing key topics. These included Dr. Celeste Geertsema on extreme environments, Professor Dave Collins on psychological rehabilitation, and Dr. Alan Getgood on ACL surgical advancements. Further sessions, led by specialists like Dr. Enda King and Professor Stuart Phillips, covered injury management, load balance, and recovery nutrition. The conference also dedicated programs to youth athletes and Qatari initiatives for female athlete development.

The ceremony included awards for outstanding scientific presentations and recognized key sponsors. Aspetar concluded by reaffirming its commitment to excellence and international collaboration, solidifying its status as a global leader in sports medicine.

Dr. Bashir Zikria, a distinguished Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief of the Division of Sports Surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the USA, speaking with www.asiantelegraphqatar.com, on the sidelines of the Aspetar International conference, has expressed deep admiration for its impeccable organization, relevant topics, and high-caliber speakers, including FIFA Medical Director Andy Massey.

A Keynote speaker at the opening of the conference, he was unreservedly optimistic about Qatar's trajectory, asserting that its sports medicine is "the best in the region by far." He lauded the world-class surgical talent at Aspetar, naming experts such as Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alan Getgood, Prof. Elisabet Hagert, Dr. Bruno Olory, and Dr. Papakostas as evidence of the institution's exceptional caliber and its bright future.

His presentation delved into the past, present, and future of managing joint failure, a key area of his research. He singled out Aspetar as a pioneer in cartilage and regenerative medicine for the Middle East, praising the work of Dr. Emmanuel Papakostas and the hospital's specialized cartilage centre. He confidently projected that Aspetar is "going to be leading the way in cartilage in the Middle East and probably in Asia."

When discussing the evolution of sports medicine, Dr. Zikria noted that the field expanded in tandem with the increased publicity of sports and a growing understanding of the long-term consequences of athletic injuries. He highlighted that now-common procedures like ACL surgery and arthroscopy only became prominent in the 1980s and 1990s. Looking ahead.

Prof. Dr. Bashir Zikria offered profound insights into his celebrated career, the prestigious gathering, and the promising future of sports medicine in Qatar. He reflected on the personal and professional journey that led him to Aspetar. Coming from a family with a rich legacy in both medicine and public service—his father was a cardiothoracic surgeon and his grandfather, Faiz Muhammad Zikria, held several portfolios, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Education and also

Faiz Muhammad Zikria, served as the Education Minister of Afghanistan (1924-27), as Foreign Minister (1929-38), and as Ambassador (1938-1960) to Turkey, UK, and Saudi Arabia. Later in 1964 migrated to the US.

Dr. Zikria spent fifteen years at Johns Hopkins. Following his father's passing and seeking a new direction, he accepted an invitation to join Aspetar for the World Cup. He described the transition as a "great move," resulting in three and a half "beautiful years" working alongside what he called the best people and leadership.

Dr. Jane Thornton who serves as Director of the IOC's Department of Health, Medicine and Science, and a former Olympian athlete, expressed that her role allows her to give back to the world of sport by focusing on improving athlete health, an opportunity she described as "fantastic."

Talking exclusively to www.asiantelegraphqatar.com, she highlighted the conference's valuable focus on athlete health and the process of returning athletes to peak performance as quickly as possible. Stating it was a "privilege" to contribute to the conversation, Dr. Thornton outlined her key expectations for the global gathering.

She anticipated that the primary outcome would be improved international collaboration, with worldwide experts contributing to a multidisciplinary discussion aimed at advancing health. Dr. Thornton emphasized that bringing the best minds together in one place is a proven method for spurring new innovation and ideas.

The 2025 Aspetar World Conference on Sports Medicine concluded successfully at the Aspire Dome, drawing over 1,000 international participants to discuss the future of the field.

During the closing ceremony, Acting Director General Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi announced the dates for Aspetar’s upcoming scientific gatherings, including a 2026 Sports Rehabilitation Conference and the second World Conference in 2027, which will mark the hospital’s 20th anniversary. Conference Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari emphasized the event's role in fostering global collaboration and innovation to enhance athlete health and performance.

The final day's scientific program featured leading experts addressing key topics. These included Dr. Celeste Geertsema on extreme environments, Professor Dave Collins on psychological rehabilitation, and Dr. Alan Getgood on ACL surgical advancements. Further sessions, led by specialists like Dr. Enda King and Professor Stuart Phillips, covered injury management, load balance, and recovery nutrition. The conference also dedicated programs to youth athletes and Qatari initiatives for female athlete development.

The ceremony included awards for outstanding scientific presentations and recognized key sponsors. Aspetar concluded by reaffirming its commitment to excellence and international collaboration, solidifying its status as a global leader in sports medicine.