AFC Asian Cup - Host City

Global brands support Soccerex Asian Forum

This year's networking area will be sponsored by Austrade and the LOC of the 2015 Asian Cup

Soccerex has announced that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Royal Jordanian Airlines, PepsiCo and the Jordan Tourism Board have committed to the Soccerex Asian Forum, which takes place from 13-14 May on the banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan, in partnership with the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP).

Royal Jordanian Airlines – voted Airline of the Year by Air Finance Journal in 2007 – is now the official airline partner of the Forum. PepsiCo, the official sponsor of the AFC, and the Jordan Tourism Board have signed up as official event supporters. 

Pepsi (PepsiCo) will act as official drinks supplier of the event while the Jordan Tourism Board will sponsor a social evening taking place at the Marriott Dead Sea Spa & Resort on Tuesday 13 May.

“We are very excited to bring this impressive selection of global brands to the event,” said Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie. “These are first-class organisations that bring the sport and the community together, and we believe will help Jordan and the rest of the continent become a destination for the global industry and soccer fans alike for many years to come.”

The local organising committee of the 2015 Asian Cup will be partnering with Austrade, the Australian Trade Commission, to host Café Australia, the networking hub at the heart of the exhibition hall. 

Australia is joined by India, Korea and other Asian federations, demonstrating the Asian Forum’s status as a significant gateway to Asia for the global industry. In addition to national associations, a number of premier footballing institutions including FIFA, The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, The FA, La Liga, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, the Japan Football Association and Galatasaray, have signed up for the event.

The AFC is also involved in the content of the event, updating delegates on the delivery of the Cup in a panel dedicated to major events. AFC Vice-President Moya Dodd will provide an outlook on the issues surrounding women’s football in Asia.

The Forum, held in partnership with the AFDP founded and chaired by HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, brings together leading figures from the world of Asian football as well as other international football experts to discuss the development of the game across Asia. The conference agenda includes a review of the opportunities and challenges facing Asian football.

AFC Asian Cup draw revealed

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Football Association

The AFC Asian Cup draw ceremony took place at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, attended by His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Football Association (QFA).

Qatar was drawn with Iran, UAE and Bahrain in Group C, while hosts Australia face South Korea, Oman and Kuwait in Group A. 

China was drawn with North Korea, Saudia Arabia and Uzbekistan in Group B. Group D is comprised of Japan, Jordan, Iraq and the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 winners.

On the eve of the draw, Sheikh Hamad confirmed his attendance at the Soccerex Asian Forum.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “It’s a great honour to welcome Sheikh Hamad to the Asian Forum, with Qatar being an example of the rapid growth of football within Asia; we’re delighted to be able to offer our delegates the opportunity to network and do business with one of the most influential footballing administrators on the planet.”

Re-elected to another four-year term late last year, Sheikh Hamad was at the helm of the association when the country won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

One of the central figures behind the development of the commercial aspect of the game in Asia, Sheikh Hamad oversaw a number of major sponsorship deals for the association as well as the Q-League, including agreements with Qatar Airways, QNB Group and Aamal. 

Soccerex Asian Forum, organized in partnership with the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), takes place on 13-14 May at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, situated on the banks of The Dead Sea, Jordan.

For more information about AFC Asia Cup visit the www.afcasiancup.com

For further details about the Soccerex Asian Forum please contact Soccerex on +44 208 987 5522 or visit www.soccerex.com

Australia 2015 confirms for Soccerex Asian Forum

Mark Falvo, chief operating officer of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Australia LOC, is to speak at Soccerex Asian Forum

The local organising committee (LOC) of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Australia has confirmed that it will contribute to the Soccerex Asian Forum, which takes place in Jordan on 13 to 14 May 2014. 

Speaking at the conference, the LOC’s chief operating officer Mark Falvo will update the industry on Australia’s preparations to host Asia’s biggest football tournament. The organising committee will also exhibit at the event through a joint partnership with the Austrade, the Australian Trade Commission. 

“With major events very much a focal point for the world of football, we’re looking forward to sharing our successful pre-event activities, as well as the remaining challenges to putting on a major international event with our counterparts from across the world. There is no better event to do that at than Soccerex,” Mr Falvo said.

Austrade will promote “Match Australia”, the International Sports Business Program for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, showcasing the best of Australian business in delivering major sporting events with the aim of fostering relationships within the Asian market. 

Australia will join an array of international delegations at the Forum, including Jordan, Spain, England, Brazil, Qatar, United States of America, Turkey, Argentina, India, Singapore, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Palestine, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon. 

 “The Forum is going from strength to strength and with the addition of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 LOC, it will undoubtedly encompass the entire Asian and Oceania football industry,” says Duncan Revie, CEO of Soccerex. 

“The ‘Major Events Panel’ will provide delegates with a true insight on what it takes to host and plan a major event, guaranteeing a few eye openers from those at the top level.” 

 The Forum, held in partnership with the Asian Football Development Project founded and chaired by HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, will bring together the leading figures from Asian football and other international experts to discuss the development of the game across Asia. 

The conference agenda will include a review of the opportunities for growth and the challenges facing Asian football.

For further details about the Soccerex Asian Forum please contact Soccerex on +44 208 987 5522 or visit www.soccerex.com/events/asia/