Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj has been inspired by Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar.

Aspire Academy director general Ivan Bravo, Director of Football Performance and Science, Valter Di Salvo, and Director of Sport and Strategy, Markus Egger, welcomed Iranian delegation and accompanied them on guided tours of Aspire Academy’s facilities, including a sneak peek of the Academy’s new Football Performance building, which is still under construction.

 Taj was accompanied by his predecessor Ali Kafashian.

“I have been very impressed by what is going on at this marvelous sports development institution. The possibilities that Aspire offers to the current and future generation of Qatari athletes is excellent,” Taj said.

“These world class facilities, combined with the right vision for the education and nurturing of sports talent in the country, will leave a lasting legacy for Qatar. Qatar should indeed be proud of Aspire Academy,” he added.

The Iranian federation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) last week.

The collaborative agreement between the two associations is intended to raise the level of cooperation and deepen relations between the two countries in men’s and women’s soccer, futsal and beach soccer.