FIFA, Soccerex energize Zhuhai football explosion

Ample facilities, training, and education will be provided to inspire the younger generation in Zhuhai to become involved in football (soccer). This was announced at the inaugural Soccerex China 2018 held in Shizimen on April 17 and 18.

The plan is to increase the number of football fields in Zhuhai to 300 in the next five years, with at least one per 10,000 residents. There will also be a national southern football training base and 50 training schools for teenage athletes, with the intent that half of all primary and middle schoolers will be playing football.

Guo Caiwu of the Standing Committee of the Zhuhai Municipal Party Committee promised a robust local football industry. The city needs to double down on efforts to develop the sport, he added. And, it should take full advantage of cooperation with Soccerex, the two-decade-old international promoter of football and co-sponsor of the summit with Huafa Sports for the first time.

Opening ceremony of Soccerex China 2018

Many leaders within the football industry participated in exhibitions, meetings, and networking. They expressed high hopes for China as one of the fastest-growing football markets in the world. Concurrent sessions were held at Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen Central Business District.

Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura made an opening speech as the first-ever female secretary general of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the governing body of football. She emphasized the importance of the Chinese consumer market, which welcomes the sport with open arms.

Samoura cited China's key role in FIFA's strategy to develop football around the world, and its efforts to make the game accessible to millions of school children in the coming years.

Fatma Samoura

The FIFA 2.0 Strategy has a clear vision, according to Samoura. "By 2026, more than 60 percent of the world population will be participating in football, and how could we dream of achieving this without focusing on China, on 1.4 billion fans or fans-to-be of the beautiful game?" In addition to sport's market appeal, she also attached importance to "intangible assets." Public passion, she said, is needed for FIFA to successfully promote football.

Soccerex Chairman Tony Martin said China is "the biggest potential fan base anywhere in the world," and "the most relevant football market that has ever been." Martin cited China's National Football Plan: develop 50,000 schools specializing in football and host and win the World Cup by 2050.

Networking [Photos by Zhu Xi / Zhuhai Daily]

Zhang Jian, senior vice president and general secretary of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), welcomed ideas conducive to the development of football. Considering the sport and other major industry issues, China will have successful experiences to draw from regarding management, technology, and training, he said. The gap meanwhile has been bridged between buyers and sellers, allowing for more quality resources.