HKTB Fully Supports Hong Kong’s First-Ever World Football Summit Global Football Legends Savour Local Crusine and Enjoy Iconic Views
| 게시일: | 04 Sep 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Following the visit of top-tier English team Manchester United FC in May, as well as heavyweight events including the “Hong Kong Football Festival” and “Saudi Super Cup” this summer, World Football Summit, an international sports convention, is taking place over two days at AsiaWorld-Expo. The summit, staging in Hong Kong for the first time, was supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). Global football legends who participate in the Summit, including Rio Ferdinand, Fabio Capello and guests were invited by HKTB to explore Hong Kong on Tuesday (2 September), tasting authentic local delicacies and checking out Hong Kong’s world-famous Harbour and city views at the Peak and on open-top sightseeing bus before the Summit. Mr Anthony Lau, HKTB’s Executive Director, said, “The World Football Summit is one of the world’s most influential football conventions. Being the host city, Hong Kong demonstrates its increasingly influential role on the global sports scene as an ideal host city for both sports games and MICE events. HKTB also extended its warm hospitality by thoughtfully arranging immersive tours of Hong Kong for the visiting football legends and Summit guests, enriching their business travel experience. We will continue to bring more large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, so as to attract more high-yield, overnight MICE visitors to the city.”
Football Legends Visit Hong Kong Ahead of Summit as Rio Ferdinand Enjoys Local Cuisine and Scenic Views
Summit guests including Rio Ferdinand, former England team captain and Manchester United icon, Fabio Capello, legendary Italian football manager, together with Marian Otamendi, World Football Summit CEO and Summit co-founder Jan Alessie, arrived in Hong Kong yesterday (2 September), ahead of the event. Invited by HKTB, the group embarked on a half-day city tour to experience the city’s vibrant culture. Their journey began with a taste of classic Cantonese cuisine, where they savoured traditional dim sum and roast goose, immersing themselves in Hong Kong’s authentic culinary culture. They then boarded the sixth-generation Peak Tram to ascend the Peak, enjoying the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. The tour concluded with a ride on an open-top sightseeing bus, offering a thrilling “sunset ride” through the scenic urban landscapes of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Rio Ferdinand, returning to Hong Kong once again, shared that his previous visits to Hong Kong with the team were mostly for work and football matches, leaving few opportunities to explore the city or enjoy its cuisine, while he can take in the city’s scenery this time and discover the treasures of the city, “I’ve never been to the Peak before so it’s good to see it, it’s been so amazing, it’s good.” He also praised Hong Kong’s cuisine, “The food is lovely in lunch time, we had roasted goose, which was a traditional dish, it’s really nice.” Ferdinand said he enjoys the hustle and bustle of the city and hopes to try more local snacks and street food. He also mentioned having previously visited Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Sevens, and hinted that he might return for the event again in the future. Ferdinand described the great reception from local fans as one of the greatest things of visiting Hong Kong. “They really look after and support us. Since they don’t often get the chance to see us, they do go crazy but it’s good and I enjoy it,” he said. “I’m happy to sign for the fans.”
World Football Summit CEO Impressed by Hong Kong’s Unique Scenery and Hopes to Return with Family Marian Otamendi, visiting Hong Kong for the first time, expressed her excitement about the trip. She enjoyed a Chinese meal – a cuisine she loves – and was deeply impressed by the visit to Victoria Peak: “It is a must for visitors coming to Hong Kong. This is really something that you don’t see anywhere else in the world.”. She added that she had heard about Hong Kong’s beautiful beaches and mountains, which she hopes to explore on a future visit. “I’d like my family to come over because this is really something they have to see.” During the two-day World Football Summit, more than 4,000 seasoned operators in the professional sports industry, football legends, investors, representatives from innovative tech companies, and football enthusiasts gather to explore variousissuesrelated to the world’s most-loved sports, including Asia’s growing influence in the global game, youth development, grassroots pathways, digital transformation and other topics.
“With our debut in Hong Kong, we’re not only bringing that same energy to Asia – we’re building a platform for long-term collaboration, investment, and innovation in the region’s game. We believe Hong Kong can become a bridge between East and West for football, driving growth and unlocking new opportunities for the game across the region,” said Jan Alessie, Co-Founder of World Football Summit. Organised by WFS and ASIA PARTNERS IFBD Limited (IP owner of CR7® LIFE Museum and CR7® LIFE stores), with the support of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) and the active participation of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the event reinforces Hong Kong’s status as a world-class destination for major sports events. “This event is a powerful declaration of Hong Kong’s global standing in sports, culture, and business,” add Filipe Gonçalves from ASIA PARTNERS IFBD Limited. “With the invaluable support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, we are not merely staging a conference; we are actively building a lasting legacy that harnesses the unique power of football to unite communities and unlock global opportunities right here in Asia.”
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