Doha: Aspire Academy paid tribute to a promising young Qatari footballer who died in a road accident in Doha on Sunday morning.
Mohamed Juma Mohammed Bakhit Rashid, 13 (pictured), was rushed to hospital after his car collided with a vehicle, but attempts to revive him failed.
One of the best-regarded Qatari footballers in his age group, Mohamed had trained at the academy for two years and recently embarked on a tour of Europe with his Aspire under-14 teammates.
The young right-back had been playing football since infancy and was expected to feature in the Qatar national team.
Nasser Al Ahbabi, Aspire Football Team Manager, said, “Today we have lost one of the most promising young players in this country. Mohamed was a hugely talented and respectful young man. His death is a terrible tragedy for his teammates, his family and all of us at Aspire.
Mohamed was also a keen academic who had recently achieved top-of-the-class grades. He had a particular talent for maths and Arabic.
His school principal, Jassim Mohamed Al Jaber, said, “Mohamed was a talented individual and could have been a scholar and a footballer. He was always so hungry for knowledge and information. It was a privilege to know him and teach him.”
Sa’id Salah Halabi, 13, who played and studied with him at the academy, said, “Everyone is devastated by the news. Mohamed had a beautiful heart and was respectful to his family, coaches and friends. He was our friend and inspiration – a leader on and off the pitch.
The driver was also killed and Mohamed’s brother Hassan, 10, critically injured in the accident.
Another promising footballer, Hassan had recently featured in a TV advertisement for the academy in which he talked about his respect for his hero Khalfan Ibrahim. He is in a coma and being looked after by his family, including his father Juma Mohamed Al Ali, a former footballer for Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha.
Roberto Olabe, Director of Football at the academy, said, “Today our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Mohamed and Hassan. “I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news. I know that all of us at Aspire will do anything we can to assist those close to the boys.”
The Peninsula
