Asian powerhouse China to call Campbelltown home for lucrative Asian cup football tournament
PETER WAY
MACARTHUR CHRONICLE CAMPBELLTOWN
MAY 22, 2014 4:51PM
AMPBELLTOWN has been named the host city for the Chinese football team ahead of January’s Asian Cup.
The 16-team tournament will be played at five host cities across Australia and in a coup for Campbelltown and its facilities, the Asian powerhouse nation will base itself in Campbelltown in the weeks leading up to next year’s tournament.
The announcement was made official by State Liberal sports minister Stuart Ayres at a press conference on Thursday, May 22 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Mr Ayres was joined by Campbelltown mayor Clinton Mead, Asian Cup chief operating officer Mark Falvo, Macarthur Federal Liberal MP Russell Matheson, Campbelltown State Liberal MP Bryan Doyle and China vice consul Xiaolei Ren at the announcement
China chose to base its national team “the dragon” or “the great wall” in Campbelltown ahead of Asia’s biggest tournament.
The announcement is expected to also open up business opportunities and partnerships between China and Campbelltown.
Mr Ayres described the venture as a “wonderful announcement for Campbelltown”.
“China is the biggest nation and the biggest team in Asia and this is a great endorsement for the facility,” he said.
“It (Campbelltown Sports Stadium) is one of the best surfaces in Sydney to train on and is the envy of any other destination.”
The team will bring more than 35 players and staff as well as what is expected to be a massive media ensemble.
Mr Falvo outlined the potential benefits to Campbelltown.
“It is a chance for Campbelltown to forge an ongoing relationship with China,” he said.
“It will be China’s 11th consecutive appearance at the Asian Cup, they have 26 million registered football players which is more than any other nation.
“The tournament will be watched by more than 500 million viewers world wide and this partnership is a strong reason for Chinese travellers to come to Campbelltown.”
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