Soccerex Forum sheds light on Asian football future, market

DEAD SEA –– Hundreds of leading Asian and global football officials and experts gathered in Jordan on Tuesday to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the future of the game in Asia. 

Held on the eastern shores of the Dead Sea, the Soccerex Asian Forum started its meetings with sessions that focused on solutions to develop football in the continent, which is home to nearly one-third of the world’s footballers live in Asia. 

HRH Prince Ali, FIFA Vice President representing Asia and President of the Jordan Football Association, said that although football in Asia presents positive opportunities for growth and development, calling on participating figures and companies to work together as the continent still holds “untapped” potential for growth. 

 “The potential is tremendous and we are here to tap into it. We can do it if we work together positively,” Prince Ali said. 

Four FIFA World Cups to be hosted in Asia in the coming years such as the U17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, U17 Men’s World Cup in India in 2017, U20 Men’s World Cup in South Korea in 2017 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he explained. 

Prince Ali noted that the legacy of these World Cups begins now at the time when the revenues from football are at their highest.

“There is no better time to invest in our youth, support women’s football and activate our social responsibility. And to do that, collectively, we must cooperate and exchange ideas and experiences and address the challenges together.”   

He noted that we must engage all stakeholders, member associations, football NGOs, clubs, leagues, confederations, media and the global sports business community in the development of the game. 

Soccerex is being held for the first time in the Kingdom, where football legends and experts will continue their debates on Wednesday. 

Soccerex Chairman Tony Martin noted that these events provide unique opportunity for football parties and representatives to meet face to face. 

“In Jordan today we are engaging with the whole continent,” he added.  

He said Soccerex involvement in Asia began some 12 years ago when they were asked to contribute to the development of the sport in Asia. 

Soccerex is the Global Leader for the Football Business, with events all over the world. Our flagship event, the Soccerex Global Convention, brings together businesses of all sizes that work in the football industry, as well as many of football’s current stars and legends of the game.

“In Soccerex, we showcase the beautiful game of football to the commercial world,” he added. 

The forum is being organised in partnership with the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), an Amman-based non-profit youth commission that was founded by Prince Ali.

During the first day of the forum, participants took part in debates through several sessions targeting a number of issues related to Asia. 

Topics such as the future in Asia, women’s football in Asia and Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup that will be held in 2022 were also discussed.