Beckham and Kaka Inspire Qatari hopefuls

Superstars feted at Doha sporting showpiece

David Beckham, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Paolo Maldini, Andrei Shevchenko, Andrea Perlo, and Filippo Inzaghi, along with their AC Milan team-mates and coaches, made a big impression on a group of young student athletes at the ASPIRE sports academy in Doha, Qatar.

The Italian giants were warmly welcomed by ASPIRE’s senior management and were led on a tour of the world’s largest indoor multi-sport dome. AC Milan, thoroughly impressed by the facilities, signed on ASPIRE’s VIP mural, shirt and signature book.

AC Milan’s Clarence Seedorf, who had visited ASPIRE in 2007 and is a believer in the academy's ambitious plans to produce world class sports stars, said: “The power of sport is the power of education and that together is the future and our hope”.

The highlight of the visit was a rousing welcome by ASPIRE’s student athletes on the indoor football pitch. The students applauded and cheered their heroes on as they marched beside them to the field, with the ASPIRE Academy anthem playing in the background.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti exchanged signed team shirts and flag with ASPIRE’s footballers Abdullah Taleb and Abd El Aziz Ansari while ASPIRE’s Sports Director, Dr Andreas Bleicher presented AC Milan’s Director General Ariedo Braida with an ASPIRE Medal.

ASPIRE’s slogans “ASPIRE Today, Inspire Tomorrow” and “There is a place for those who dare to dream” were echoed as the TVC commercial that featured Ronaldinho was continually displayed on screen.

The commercial promotes ASPIRE’s core values of competitiveness, ambition and sporting spirit. It also provided the visitors with a brief overview of the holistic approach that ASPIRE follows in developing talents and the balance between sports and education.

ASPIRE was delighted to welcome its honoured guests who have provided young football fans around the world with inspiring performances on the field for both their club and country and also motivated many young people to take part in sport.

AC Milan stars were the latest in a rich range of famous visitors who has visited the Academy over the years. Other dignitaries who have seen the Academy include Pelé, Rabah Madjer, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Nadia Comaneci, Mark Spitz, Edwin Moses, Said Aouita, Hicham El Guerrouj, “Ro” Antonio Blackman, and Djamel Bourras.

AC Milan also visited ASPETAR, Qatar's Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital.

MEANTIME …AFP reported at press time that Beckham and AC Milan confirmed a deal has been agreed between the Italians and Los Angeles Galaxy that enables the former England captain to stay in Italy until the end of the season.

Beckham's current loan deal from the Major League Soccer side was about to end.

But he released a statement through Galaxy confirming the rumours that a deal has been reached allowing him to remain in Italy until the end of the season before returning to Galaxy to see out the rest of the MLS season.
Milan followed that up by announcing on their official website that the 'Spice Boy' would be staying at the club until June 30.

"I'm grateful to both clubs for making this dream come true," said Beckham.

"I will be able to play for Milan and Galaxy in the same season, hence keeping with my commitment to Major League Soccer in order to develop football in the USA, which is something I feel really passionate about."

Beckham added that his family would remain in Los Angeles during his time in Italy.

"My family is happy and settled and will remain in LA. The perfect result for 2009 would be for me to help Milan to reach the Champions League and for the LA Galaxy to make the playoffs and win the MLS Cup."
One spin-off of the time-sharing deal is a friendly between AC Milan and Galaxy in Carson on July 19, Beckham's 'homecoming' game for the US team.

Tim Leiweke, the chief executive of AEG, which owns the Galaxy, confirmed the deal in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, insisting Milan had underestimated Galaxy's resolve in holding on to their star asset.

"I'm sorry that it had to go on so long, for him and for us and particularly for our fans," he told the paper.

"We had to get to a point where they understood that David doesn't own this contract, the Galaxy does, and this isn't going to be just about 'Let's make David happy.'

"That was where the complication was. Milan needed to understand we weren't just going to turn around and say, 'Oh, yeah, no problem, keep him for a couple more months."'

Leiweke added: "I think after some conversations between us and David and his folks, David began to understand that he didn't want to leave the league either.

"So this is a good solution. It allows him to finish the season with Milan. We will see him in July. I'm very excited about the Milan game."

The deal follows weeks of negotiations between the two clubs during which Milan baulked at the size of transfer fee demanded by Galaxy -- thought to be around 12 million euros ($A23 million) .

Milan reportedly were only willing to pay $US3 million ($A4.7 million).
Beckham initially joined Milan on loan in January.