MARGAO
Goan origin teenager Justin Fernandes and Tahsin Mohammed Jamshed who made history by becoming the first player of Indian origin to be selected for the Qatar national football team were honoured recently by the Aspire Academy which produces world-class athletes for Qatar. The 17th batch of athletes graduated at a prestigious ceremony at the Aspire Dome.
The event recognised the achievements of 50 student-athletes, marking another milestone in the Academy’s illustrious history.
This year’s graduating class included 26 footballers, six football referees, nine track and field athletes, four fencers, two swimmers, two squash players, and one table tennis player.
The Goan lad was the youngest player to graduate from the school. Justin’s football career began at the Doha-based Absolute Sports Academy, when he travelled with the U-11 team to Armenia and was voted the best forward.
This season Justin spearheaded the Al Ahli SC youth team to clinch the U-19 QFA League title. In their quest for glory, the team defeated the likes of Al Sadd, Al Duhail and eventually Qatar FC in the final.
Justin's parents, Camilo and Abaigail, hail from Murida, Cuncolim. They have been his biggest supporters, with his father guiding his football and mother helping him in his studies.
Tahsin’s father, Jamshid, hails from Thalassery while his mother, Shaima, is from Valapattanam in Kannur district.
The ceremony was graced by Jassim al-Buainin, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) who served as the guest of honour.
Distinguished guests also included representatives from various sports federations and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
The event was further distinguished by the presence of Tariq Abdulaziz al-Naama, Vice-President of the Aspire Zone Foundation, and Mohamed al-Suwaidi, CEO of Aspire and Vice-President of the QFA.
