Doha, Qatar (March 03, 2013) –Aspetar Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital has launched its new Injury and Illness Prevention Programme (ASPREV). The initiative was introduced at an Aspetar organised international conference on 27 and 28 February 2013, and highlighted Aspetar’s plans to develop a research and education programme on injury and illness prevention in Qatar over the next decade. The two-day conference featured an analysis of “The Scandinavian Experience”, highlighting examples of how nationwide research and education programmes on injury and illness prevention have been developed in Norway, Sweden and Denmark over the past decade. Twelve international speakers, Aspetar experts and local specialists, discussed “The Scandinavian Experience” for illness and injuries prevention over the two days of the conference. Professor Roald Bahr, Head of the Aspetar Sports Injury and Illness Prevention Programme, commented on the conference, “The aim of the conference was for Aspetar to further expand current knowledge on specific injury and illness prevention methods, as well as showcase a selection of success stories from the programme in Scandinavia.” The conference covered a variety of topics and consisted of plenary lectures, symposia, workshops, invited and oral sessions, as well as practical seminars. Topics ranged from ‘Why is Injury and Illness Prevention Important?’ to ‘The Role of the IOC in Protecting the Health of the Athlete’ and ‘Injury Epidemiology in Qatari Football—Key Challenges and Opportunities’. Dr Khalifa Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer at Aspetar,

“Aspetar boasts a vast amount of research, knowledge and experience. The aim of the conference was to bring in specialists from all over globe to complement our existing resources and through discussion further develop ASPREV”.

“The Scandinavian experience is a key example of how important research is within this particular field as the programme has significantly reduced the number of athlete injuries in that region. The aim of ASPREV is not only to recreate this success here, but to do so through our own unique scientific formula. ASPREV is a revolutionary initiative that is focused on the long-term results. We are confident that through the programme we will be able to drastically decrease athlete injuries in Qatar & the region,” he added. The conference was designed to raise awareness of injury and illness prevention among medical staff at Aspetar, Aspire Academy and in the National Sports Medicine Programme (NSMP), as well as raise awareness of the ASPREV programme. Additionally, the conference helped create, as well as foster, relationships between key staff at the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre in Norway and Aspetar and NSMP staff.