Prince Ali opens 2015 Soccerex Asian Forum

DEAD SEA — The 2015 Soccerex Asian Forum started at the Dead Sea on Sunday with the participation of leading and high-profile football figures from all over the globe.

The forum began 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.

The Prince presented details about the successful achievement done by the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP).

He also mentioned the reason behind his decision to take part in this year’s FIFA presidency elections.

“It was a discussion that I’ve been having with colleagues of football both within FIFA and within our executive committee as well as with national associations as well as other key stakeholders including sponsors. We decided that as wonderful as football is and as popular as it is around the world unfortunately the reputation of FIFA is not there at all, so therefore a change needs to happen, whether it is myself or someone else,” he said.

He stressed on the importance of having FIFA dedicate a percentage of its budget for the support of football.

“We have a good budget, but I think that we have to put much more of the percentage back into the game. Take UEFA as an example you have to have at least 80 per cent of the budget going back into football and I think that is the way it should be in FIFA as well,” he added. 

The organising committee of the 2016 Women’s U-17 World Cup in Jordan also presented details about the latest preparations for the event and the importance of hosting such a tournament.

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

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 taking 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 are also attending the event. 

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.