Zimpapers Logo

Omega Sibanda

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA vice president Omega Sibanda and board member Fungai Chihuri are in Jordan where they attended a high level football symposium that ended yesterday at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea in the Asian country.

The symposium was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, vice president of Fifa representing Asia, president of the West Asian Football Federation and chairman of the Jordan Football Association.

A high powered delegation of speakers among them living football legend Diego Maradona and former Arsenal and FA vice chairman David Dein, was lined up for the symposium that kicked of on Sunday.

“The vice president is in Jordan, attending a football symposium together with board member Chihuri,” said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela yesterday.

Hosted by the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) this year, Soccerex is Asia’s biggest football business event. The forum’s first day drew the participation of hundreds of sports personalities and football experts from across the region and the world, in addition to heads of national football federations and representatives of both local and international football clubs.

According to the hosts’ website, representatives of Europe’s top football clubs comprising Italy’s AC Milan, Spain’s Atlético Madrid, Malaga CF andTurkey’s Galatasaray SK, discussed methods of managing fan bases regionally and internationally, and their impact on maximising revenues.

“They underscored the importance of engaging fans, building on their loyalty to teams and clubs, and strengthening partnerships with sponsors, especially foreign brands that can help open new markets.

Held in Asia for the second time, the Soccerex Asian Forum promotes networking and knowledge exchange between East and West, and includes discussion panels covering the most pressing issues and challenges related to hosting international football tournaments. The Forum also presents opportunities and solutions to raise the calibre of the sport, which is considered the most popular worldwide.