Qatar is not afraid to reach out and seek advice, gain knowledge and source experience from others but they never lose sight of their identity and what they want to achieve for their own country and people
I recently attended the Aspire4Sport Conference at the hugely impressive Aspire Academy facilities in Doha, Qatar. I was kindly invited by John Kelly-Quinn from Redco Almana.
There were very interesting insights from the FC Barcelona Vice President Javier Faus on their relationship with the Qatar Foundation and how that dynamic has evolved. There were also good contributions on various topics from social media through to security and education.
World Cup Committee Chief Hassan Thawadi was particularly impressive and it's clear to see how his intelligence and level of understanding on many areas benefitted the winning 2022 bid a year ago.
Whilst a number of the sessions were of great interest, it was also good to listen to the likes of Venus Williams and Carl Lewis speaking as part of a star studded event.
However, it was a few quiet moments outside and away from the auditoriums observing some of the coaching sessions that it really hit home just how incredible the place, and indeed the whole concept, actually is.
Imagine. A relatively new country. A population of under two million people, of which less than 400,000 are Qatari nationals. Scorching heat most of the year round. And yet, here I am sat watching some of the most talented kids I've ever seen in a facility that just takes your breath away.
Thousands of acres of sports halls, indoor areas, indoor stadiums, classrooms, tennis courts, swimming pools, a huge 45,000 all-seater state-of-the-art-stadium, a dozen Premier League level full size pitches, student living quarters, perfectly manicured lush surroundings and a classic looking Tudor style hotel, which stretches the length of two pitches, in the far distant backdrop.
This place makes Carrington or Cobham, outstanding facilities in their own right, appear incredibly inadequate.
Add to that a Coaching team recruited from fourteen different countries including Brazil, Spain, England, France...offering a range of skill sets and passing on different technical and cultural aspects to their students.
A programme that incorporates visits to tournaments around the world and indeed hosting over forty elite club Academies throughout the year at Aspire. All of which is headed by Director of Sports Wayde Clews, himself an incredibly experienced Australian with a track record in High-Performance sports projects.
So is it having the desired effect? Until recently, Aspire have acknowledged themselves that measuring the actual success of such a huge investment is difficult to do as it's still in its relative infancy.
However, it's no coincidence that the 16, 17 and 18's age groups are not only competing with Europe's elite but are now actually starting to make a real statement of intent and lead the way.
It was only this summer that one of Aspire's U18's teams beat Manchester United 5-1 in the final of the Milk Cup in Ireland. One of my scouts informed me that the score line actually flattered United.
I anticipate their younger players will just keep on getting better and better as Aspire learn more from their exchange trips and tournament experiences. The players I saw were technically excellent, respectful, focused and clearly enjoying their environment.
It's Scary to think how such a project could impact on a country like China with a population of 1.4 billion were they to share the same vision and foresight as the Qataris. Such a shame as they certainly have the land and finance to replicate with far higher-reaching results.
There is no doubt that challenges lie ahead for Qatar in so many aspects ahead of 2022, but when it comes to forward thinking, creativity, ambition and desire, Qatar has shown that if the Aspire Academy is anything to go by, they can achieve pretty much anything they want.
They have issues with marketing their domestic game to mainly ex-pat communities that lack interest in football; something that will become easier as the younger players come through and the standard improves within the QSL.
There is no structured pathway for 18-21 year olds. Their overseas player recruitment has been average at best.
But they certainly have the determination and financial strength to source solutions to address all of these issues and not least, bring more high-profile players into the country, who need to be utilised more in local communities and give more back to the clubs who are paying them handsomely.
We all know of the issues in preparing for 2022 with the heat factor for June/July in a desert country but Hassan Thawadi acknowledged that this was why they only bid for 2022 and not 2018 too.
He spoke elegantly about their understanding of the challenges ahead and that they need time to "get it right". Something tells you that they will actually nail it and are too proud to ever contemplate the event being anything other than a huge success.
Qatar is not afraid to reach out and seek advice, gain knowledge and source experience from others but they never lose sight of their identity and what they want to achieve for their own country and people.
Sceptical beforehand? Absolutely. I now, however, have a new found admiration and respect for Qatar and I wish them every success for the future...