Football’s growth takes center stage at world summit in Jeddah

JEDDAH: The growth of the sport worldwide, and Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a key player, were among the issues on the agenda of the World Football Summit Asia which kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The second edition of the WFSA features 1,200 delegates from over 70 countries, encompassing clubs, leagues, federations and brands.

Hosting this event “aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision to enhance its presence on the global sports stage and showcases its current influence in global football,” a statement by the organizers said.

Speakers included Adwa Al-Arifi, the Kingdom’s deputy sports minister; Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel peace laureate; and Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation.

Al-Arifi and John set the tone at the opening ceremony, outlining the objective of fostering international cooperation and growth within the sport.

“Football is played on our streets and lives in our hearts. It unites us,” said Al-Arifi. John added: “We’re here to engage in constructive dialogues on the future of the beautiful game.”

In a panel discussion on the Kingdom’s bid for the 2034 World Cup, Lamia Bahaian, deputy president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “In Saudi Arabia, we’re excited to connect with the football community and industry.”

Through conferences, events and digital platforms, the WFSA provides opportunities for stakeholders to network, discuss trends, and collaborate to shape the future of football.