Chelsea FC’s bid to attract fans in Asia has taken another step forward after the English Premier League champion signed a five-year partnership deal with the International Football Arena which holds an annual symposium of leading figures from the sport and in 2007 will hold the event in Beijing, China. “The IFA is the leading independent international forum of the football industry. Over the last few years it has established itself as the foremost debating arena for the major issues and developments in football," Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon told media. “I am delighted that Chelsea will become an official partner and promoter of the event with the IFA now looking to take its unique format into new areas, starting with China.”
Chelsea FC is already forging an innovative series of relationships in China and Asia with the Asian Football Confederation and the Chinese Football Association. And in its role as an official ambassador for London, Chelsea is also promoting Olympic co-operation between Beijing 2008 and London 2012 by inviting the Chinese Olympic team to train at Cobham. In the last seven years the IFA symposium has built up its reputation as an independent platform for football’s international decision makers, attracting top-ranking representatives to Zurich to discuss topical issues.
Chelsea FC is already forging an innovative series of relationships in China and Asia with the Asian Football Confederation and the Chinese Football Association. And in its role as an official ambassador for London, Chelsea is also promoting Olympic co-operation between Beijing 2008 and London 2012 by inviting the Chinese Olympic team to train at Cobham. In the last seven years the IFA symposium has built up its reputation as an independent platform for football’s international decision makers, attracting top-ranking representatives to Zurich to discuss topical issues.
See also: AFC signs "Vision China" MOU with Chelsea FC (25 Apr)