Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) will mark the start of the New Year by
welcoming Germany’s most successful club, Bayern Munich, for a winter
training camp from January 2-7, 2018.
Bundesliga defending champions arrive to make the most of AZF’s
world-class facilities shortly after the departure of Paris
Saint-Germain, the most successful club in French history in terms of
trophies won. PSG departed Doha on December 23 after concluding yet
another successful winter training camp at AZF.
Bayern Munich are returning to AZF this year for their eighth
consecutive annual training camp. Led by coach Jupp Heynckes, the team
features several of Germany’s best players and international stars
including Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, Thomas Müller, Robert
Lewandowski, Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal, Thiago
Alcântara, and David Alaba amongst others.
The Bavarians are looking to secure their 28th Bundesliga title this
season, and stand in good stead at the top of the table with 41 points,
11 points ahead of second place FC Schalke 04, and 13 points ahead of
rivals Borussia Dortmund in third.
The winter training camp in Qatar has become a key feature of the team’s
season and provides the perfect opportunity for the players to take a
breather from the pressures of local and international competition.
Commenting on Bayern Munich’s imminent arrival, Ibrahim Hilal, head of
Federations and Clubs Events at AZF, said, “After saying goodbye to
Paris Saint-Germain last week, we’re gearing up to welcome yet another
of the world’s biggest clubs to Aspire Zone. The German champions are
returning to Doha for their eighth consecutive year, irrespective of the
ongoing diplomatic situation. The club is determined to draw on the
best of what AZF has to offer, which reflects the confidence they have
in the country and its sporting institutions. It also provides further
proof of how AZF and its affiliated organisations are perfectly placed
to provide an integrated set of world-class sporting and medical
services available to players all in one place. This makes Aspire the
ideal environment for training, particularly during the winter months,
and helps explain why we see some of the world’s biggest clubs retuning
year after year.”
He added: “The confidence placed in AZF is due in large part to the
efforts of our employees and member organisations who work tirelessly
towards achieving the organisation’s goal of becoming the reference in
sports excellence worldwide by 2020.”
AZF expects large numbers of football enthusiasts in Qatar to visit
Bayern’s winter training camp, particularly amongst the club’s many fans
who have consistently demonstrated their keenness to attend and watch
the team’s open training sessions. Last year, fans had a chance to see
the players in action, take autographs and have their picture taken with
their favourite stars.
In addition to FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, AZF’s
facilities have attracted visits from many other major clubs including
Manchester United, Schalke, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Shanghai Greenland
Shenhua FC, KAS Eupen and Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.
Bayern Munich are returning to Aspire Zone Foundation this year for their eighth consecutive annual training camp.