BEIJING, Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- MasterCard Worldwide has today announced its further commitment to grassroots sports in China with the extension of its sponsorship agreement with China ClubFootball, China's first independent grassroots football network.
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/200711081457.jpg )
Willie Fung, executive vice president and general manager, Greater China and Korea, MasterCard Worldwide said, "Football has been one of the most supported sports in China ever since it was introduced in the 1900s. The game has developed over the years, with millions captivated by the historic World Cup qualification for the men's national team in 2002. Football is a great grassroots sport which helps bring people of different ages together and breaks down barriers in many communities. We recognize ClubFootball's dedication to the development of community-based sports in China and are proud to be working with them to further encourage football locally."
The announcement marks the third year of co-operation between MasterCard Worldwide and ClubFootball and will focus on further swelling the ranks of amateur men, women and juniors participating in well established leagues and coaching courses. It also marks the formal launch of ClubFootball's campaign to bring Chinese amateur football into the 21st century with the establishment of the first ClubFootball Play Centre in Beijing.
Welcoming the agreement, ClubFootball Chairman Rowan Simons remarked, "With so much focus on elite sport in the lead up to the Olympics, MasterCard's on-going commitment to our grassroots campaign and particularly its extended support at this crucial time sends a powerful message that sport is for all."
The ClubFootball campaign pays particular attention to junior football as ClubFootball CEO Keith Bradbury explained. "We operate fun, character building courses at more than 10 venues, serving kids of both sexes and all levels, so MasterCard's substantial commitment will help us spread the message even further. Chinese kids are more than welcome to join our courses held in international schools and to help us spread this important message, MasterCard is sponsoring a prize competition, offering free places on a MasterCard ClubFootball Winter Holiday Camp and other football-related prizes."
According to ClubFootball COO David Niven, the men's campaign centres on MasterCard ClubFootball 5-a-side Leagues; which offer competitive, organized football on midweek evenings and at weekends. "The tournament already consists of 8 divisions making it the biggest in Beijing and it caters to all levels of ability and interest."
When China hosted the thrilling 2007 Women's World Cup, the MasterCard campaign also continued to emphasize the importance of offering women an avenue into grassroots sport and build on the interest that the tournament inspired within the community.
"We've found that many women don't feel that football is accessible to them, even where they hold a long-standing interest in the game," said Niven, "and support from MasterCard means we can offer free coaching sessions delivered by English FA qualified Coaches. This encourages participants to practice their English at the same time as keeping fit and having fun and is just the first stage in a long term plan to promote the women's game at amateur levels."
The final element to the campaign is the MasterCard ClubFootball Grassroots Review, a legacy fundraising event through which ClubFootball hopes to introduce its ClubFootball Play Centre model to Beijing. Details of the project will be released closer to the time but events are set to include celebrity endorsement and an auction of star-studded football memorabilia never before seen in China.
ClubFootball Chairman, Rowan Simons noted that "2008 is the most important year in China's sport history. While welcoming the Olympic Games, we are highly focused on involving thousands more people in sport at the amateur level and modern and professionally managed facilities are a key part of our post-Olympic vision. ClubFootball Play Centres offer Beijing an opportunity to set new worldwide standards in grassroots sports and our first site will showcase that potential."
About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R), MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com .
About ClubFootball
ClubFootball is Beijing's first joint venture football club and has broken new ground in developing the game of football in China through a variety of high-profile and grass roots projects and initiatives that have earned the company recognition throughout the business, sporting and wider community. ( http://www.clubfootball.com.cn )
