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Raajiv Tripathi
DOHA
Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) has joined hands with Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of the MotoGP, and Aspire Academy to launch the ambitious Qatar Motorsport Academy.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail International Circuit on Friday.
His Excellency Salah bin Ghanem al Ali, the Minister of Culture and Sports, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, FIM President Vito Ippolito, QMMF President Abdulrahman al Mannai and Aspire Academy General Director Ivan Bravo, LCSC Vice-President and General Manager Khalid al Remaihi were present.
The academy, the main aim of which is to tap and polish young talent into MotoGP riders, will start operations in October.
"The Qatar Motorsport Academy will focus on 6 to 14 years-old kids, living in Qatar and the region, and train them professionally to become stars of the future. The weather is a big advantage for us and there are plenty of opportunities for quality training in Qatar. During the winter when Europe is having off-season, we can practise the sport. Aspire and Dorna can help us provide this facility to the young riders in Europe as well," Remaihi said.
"Ever since LCSC was formed in early 2016, our major objectives were to promote the sport, get the communities in Qatar involved in the sport, and make full use of the facilities. I am happy to say that we have achieved these goals.
"I'd like to state that 81 percent use of the existing facilities shows how much we have increased the events, quality of the events and attracted people to the events," Remaihi said.
Talking about the LCSC's tie-up with Dorna Sports and Aspire Academy, Remaihi said this is the best possible partnership and it will help the academy secure the laid down core objectives.
"It was important for us to involve the right partners. This is why LCSC joined hands with Dorna Sports and Aspire Academy. Dorna Sports will use its vast experience and knowhow of the motorcycling racing to develop a training programme for younger generation so that it could be a stepping stone for them for the MotoGP.
"Aspire Academy is an icon in sport training, education and excellence. This support is very valuable for us and Qatar," Remaihi said.
The LCSC General Manager also thanked QMMF and its president Mannai for the backing to academy project."The cooperation of the QMMF, Abdulrahman al Mannai and his team is vital for what we want to achieve. Hopefully soon, we will see somebody from Qatar or the region to race in the MotoGP class," he added.
Dorna CEO Ezpeleta said, the Qatar Motorsport Academy could play an important role and was excited to work with LCSC on this idea.
"Qatar was the first country to hold the floodlight race, which was necessary for MotoGP. They have organised the MotoGP races successfully. For us at Dorna it is very exciting project. One of the main aims is to give opportunities to people, who have never raced before," Ezpeleta added.
