Changsha set to host the world

Changsha, the scene of China's recent World Cup qualifing victory over South Korea, will become the first non-European host of the annual World Football Forum in May.

The event has become a major date on the soccer industry's calendar since it was established in 2011.

Experts and representatives from the world's major clubs, international governing bodies and suppliers will descend on the capital of Hunan province, from May 18-21 to exchange ideas and discuss the latest trends and innovations in the game.

The announcement of the event couldn't have been timed better, with soccer fever still in the Changsha air following the national team's victory over South Korea last week, which kept alive China's hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

The venue for that morale-boosting triumph, Helong Stadium, and the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center will host the forum, as well as a soccer expo.

Organizer Eventica is excited about the forum's debut in one of soccer's fastest-growing markets.

"This is a very important year for the World Football Forum as we move the discussion to football's biggest new hub," said Eventica's forum director Edward Cowell.

"There is so much to talk about as soccer takes root and evolves in Asia. There is no better place to sense Asian soccer's rise than China.

"The sport's development here in recent years has already had such a huge impact on the game worldwide."

The forum is an ideal platform for China to learn about the latest technical trends, management expertise and best practice in club operation, said Qi Jun, director of the competition department of the Chinese Football Association.

Retired Brazil and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho will attend the forum and promote his new freestyle street soccer project, the Global Street Tour.

For Changsha, which has a population of around seven million, the event is another major boost in its bid to become a center of global sport.

"We are very excited that Changsha will be hosting the World Football Forum," said Li Ping, director of Changsha Sports Bureau.

"We have developed a soccer development plan for the city, and this forum will help us in our aim towards the internationalization of Changsha sports."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn