2015 Soccerex Asian Forum returns to Jordan

AMMAN – The 2015 Soccerex Asian Forum at the Dead Sea brings together international football leaders, figures, clubs and federations for a two-day convention starting on Sunday.

The two-day event in the world’s biggest football market — Asia — provides a platform for networking and knowledge exchange between East and West.

The forum will kick off with a 1-2-1 interview with HRH Prince Ali — head of the Jordan Football Association, FIFA vice president representing Asia, chairman of the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), president of the West Asian Football Federation, Asian Football Confederation executive committee member, and FIFA presidential candidate, one of three candidates challenging incumbent FIFA President Sepp Blatter who is seeking re-election for a fifth four-year term. 

A number of issues are on the agenda of the two-day forum, including the development of local leagues, women’s football, and infrastructure. 

The organising committee of the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan will also deliver one of the sessions on the first day of the forum, presenting details about the latest updates regarding the Kingdom’s preparations for the global tournament. 

Important issues including how stadia and infrastructure impact match day experience will also be discussed on the forum’s first day. 

During the session, speakers will look at aspects such as technology, safety and security for tournaments including the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and will analyse the requirements for delivering the perfect fan experience.

Obstacles and negative aspects that stand in the way of the development of football will be focused on, mainly the allegations of match fixing and corruption. 

Participants will look at the scale of these problems in Asia and what is being done to tackle the issues.

Ways and important elements of establishing a successful league including building attendances, sponsorship and broadcast deals will also be highlighted during the forum’s second day. 

The programme will feature former players Ossie Ardiles, Peter Reid, Lucas Neill and Gaizka Mendieta sharing their experiences of “Playing, Coaching and Scouting in Asia”.

Legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona will close the forum with a rare personal insight into his amazing career, including winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina and the “Hand of God” goal against England in 1986. He will also be sharing his Asian coaching experience from the time he spent as manager of the Dubai based Al Wasl FC. 

Over 850 delegates are expected to take part in the forum, hosted in conjunction with the AFDP, at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre. A total of 85 national federation representatives, and 60 clubs and league representatives will also attend the event. 

Senior figures from European clubs like Manchester City FC, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Malaga, Olympiacos, Feyenoord and Galatasary will participate in the forum.

Since the first event in 1996, Soccerex has led the way in bringing the football business community together. In nearly two decades, it has worked in 13 countries across five continents providing learning and networking opportunities to nearly 50,000 industry figures.

The Dead Sea Soccerex Asian Forum will be its 38th event.