Qatar’s leading global sports center, the Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), and the Russian esports holding ESforce have signed a Memorandum of strategic cooperation. The signing took place at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum-2021 (SPIEF-2021), where Qatar acts as a guest country, with the support of the sports marketing agency QR Sports (part of the Qatari-Russian Cooperation Center group, QRCC).
Qatar’s AZF and Russia’s ESforce intend to cooperate in the development of the esports industry in Russia and Qatar: to hold joint events and exchange expertise in the organization of projects.
Mohammed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, CEO of the Aspire Zone Foundation:
“AZF’s sports leadership has been built through a unique combination of comprehensive services and programs. In addition, Aspire Zone is the most integrated sports city in the world. AZF is always at the center of events, as it not only supports the country’s sports ambitions, but also contributes to the development of sports around the world. We are ready to share our experience”.
The Aspire Zone Foundation is based in Qatar and specializes in providing some of the world’s best sports stadiums and venues, sports medicine, research, and education to the international sports industry. It was created by the Emir’s decree on January 11, 2008 as a part of three organizations: Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Logistics. Having grown significantly since its inception as a project of The Sports City in 2003, the international sports destination was renamed the Aspire Zone in 2006. This date is significant in the history of the AZF, as the foundation gained international recognition by becoming the center of the 2006 Asian Games, where more than 200 events with intense competition were held over 15 days.
Sergey Barkhudarian, Commercial Director at ESforce Holding: “We are pleased to strengthen our position in the international market and gain new opportunities in the framework of cooperation with the Aspire Zone Foundation. The exchange of experience between experts of major players from different countries will work for the development of the esports industry around the world, and the next level of technological projects will appear in esports”.
“This step will bring a great opportunity and mutual benefit for both countries in the field of esports,” said Kirill Lata, Head of QR Sports.