The World Football Summit launched its inaugural Hong Kong edition at AsiaWorld-Expo on Wednesday, expecting over 4,000 global sports industry experts, investors, and football figures to discuss latest industry trends. For the first time, the summit includes public access with a simultaneous football carnival featuring club exhibitions, skill challenges, sports experiences, and legend forums.
Football icons including former England and Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand, ex-Chelsea captain John Terry, Barcelona legend Carles Puyol, Italian coach Fabio Capello, and renowned referee Pierluigi Collina are attending the two-day event.
Hong Kong Football Association CEO Charles Cheung Yim-yau said the choice of venue was a recognition of the city’s strengths.
He said hosting the summit in Hong Kong affirms the city’s reputation as an international centre for sports, commerce and cultural exchange, and demonstrates its commitment to the development of football.
Cheung highlighted Hong Kong’s capacity to stage both major matches and industry conferences, pointing to the city’s well-connected airport, rail links and efficient public transport as vital for international visitors.
He added that Hong Kong’s geographical and cultural advantages offered fertile ground for innovation and collaboration, in which its blend of cultures, alongside its standing as a financial and commercial hub in Asia, creates an ideal setting for fostering creative ideas and strategic partnerships.
Summit chief executive Marian Otamendi described the Hong Kong stop as part of the 30th edition of the global series, which has already taken place in Morocco, Mexico and New York, with Riyadh scheduled as the final leg. She said the event reflected football’s continuing expansion as a worldwide industry.
Otamendi projected that more than 3,000 participants would attend in Hong Kong, with half of them traveling from overseas.
“This may be the largest edition we have ever held,” she said.
She also noted the importance of addressing gender imbalance in football, saying that while around 22 percent of speakers at the summit are women, representation in the sport remains insufficient.
“We must work together to change this,” said Otamendi.
FIFA Referee Committee chairman Collina (Middle)
FIFA Referee Committee chairman Collina discussed VAR's evolution across 63 countries, stressing technology assists but doesn't replace referees despite increasing psychological pressures from fan criticism.
The summit continues with Capello discussing Italian football legacy on Wednesday and Ferdinand leading a session on media's new era Thursday afternoon.
Marco Lam (marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com)
