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EQS-News / 23/01/2018 / 18:24 UTC+8
*Viva China and Dutch Eredivisie Champion Feyenoord
Join Hands to Launch Feyenoord Viva Football Academy*
_Introduce World's No.1 Youth Development Programme
Nurture the Next Generation of Chinese Football Players_
*23 January 2018, Hong Kong/Beijing* - Viva China Holdings Limited (the
"Company" or "Viva China", and collectively with its subsidiaries, the
"Group"; HKEx stock code: 8032) entered into a strategic cooperation
agreement with Feyenoord Rotterdam ("Feyenoord"), the Dutch Eredivisie
champion 2016-2017 and a major powerhouse, to jointly launch "Feyenoord Viva
Football Academy" across China.
Through introducing the world-class football training programme of
Feyenoord, together with its professional coaches and extensive resources to
Feyenoord Viva Football Academy, the two parties are committed to developing
youth football training programme nationwide, and promoting strategic
development of the football industry in China. The collaboration also
targets to complement the development of Viva China's Li Ning Sports Parks,
sports towns and sports community projects, and to promote the
diversification of its sports-related businesses.
Founded in 1908, Feyenoord is one of Europe's most prestigious football
clubs with a profound history. It has won fifteen Dutch Eredivisie titles
and was the first Dutch team to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup in
1970. According to the "Player Development Ranking - World Cup 2014"
mandated to undertake by FIFA and published by the International Centre for
Sports Studies (CIES), Feyenoord triumphed over international super football
clubs such as FC Barcelona and Manchester United to top the leader board
with the success of having trained and exported the largest number of 2014
World Cup players. Feyenoord Academy in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has set
a record for being named the "Best Youth Academy in the Netherlands" for
five seasons running (2009-2014) by the Royal Dutch Football Association
(KNVB).
*Mr. Li Ning, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Viva China*, said, "We
are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Feyenoord. Football
is a popular sport in China. The Chinese government has been providing
utmost support and assistance in the promotion of football across the
country. The announcement of the "Medium and Long-Term Development Plan of
Chinese Football (2016-2050)" and "Plans for the Construction of National
Football Facilities (2016-2020)" in the first half of 2017 put forward
policy guidance on youth training programmes. Benefitting from favourable
national policies that help promote football training, the Group, together
with Feyenoord, will launch 'Feyenoord Viva Football Academy' nationwide
with a wide range of football training projects, offering world-class and
highly-regarded training programmes to all walks of life, from youngsters to
local coaches and school teachers. We are committed to jointly promoting
nationwide participation in football, and contributing to the sustainable
development of the sports industry in China."
Mr. Li Ning added, "In addition, this cooperation is an important step for
the Group to explore diversified development of sports-related businesses
and is expected to enrich our sports resources in the field of football. We
trust that Feyenoord's international reputation will help in our
negotiations of replicating and establishing Li Ning Sports Parks, sports
towns and sports communities across China, which helps accelerate our pace
in investing in and developing such community development projects. "
*Mr. Mark Koevermans, Chief Commercial Officer of Feyenoord*, said, "We are
very excited about the cooperation with Viva China to establish the
'Feyenoord Viva Football Academy' in China to jointly promote football
training and exchange programme among Chinese youth. We share the same
passion in football as the Chinese people. Feyenoord's goal has always been
to promote football culture around the world. Through our systematic and
award-winning youth programme, and a team of professional and experienced
coaches, we look forward to nurturing local football talents and promoting
football in China."
-End-
*About Viva China Holdings Limited(HKEx Stock Code: 8032)*
The Group is principally engaged in (i) sports competition and event
production and management, sports talent management, and provision of
sports-related consultancy service; and (ii) property and community
development, research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of
construction materials, operation of Li Ning Sports Parks and provision of
consultancy and sub-contracting services. It is the Group's strategy to
drive the establishment of an integrated sports platform with its various
sports resources in capturing their potential commercial value, and building
people-oriented sports communities that promote nationwide physical fitness
with the Group's sports portfolio infused with diversified entertainment and
leisure elements, so as to enhance the quality of living and promote
sportive and healthier lifestyle across the PRC.
*About Feyenoord Rotterdam Football Club*
Feyenoord Rotterdam Football Club is based in the second largest city of
Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Feyenoord, together with Ajax and PSV, is
recognised as the Big Three in Dutch football. Since its establishment in
1908, Feyenoord Rotterdam has won 15 Dutch Eredivisie titles, 12 KNVB Cups,
3 Dutch Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 2 UEFA Cup and became the first
Dutch team to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1970. During the
2016-2017 season, the team took the crown at the Dutch Eredivisie league
again after 18 years.
*Media Enquiry*
*Cornerstones Communications Ltd.*
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Sam Choi (852) 2903 9289/ 9642 sam.choi@cornerstonescom.com
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Document: http://n.eqs.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=MGCTDKXMTI [1]
Document title: VIVA CHINA AND FEYENOORD JOIN HANDS TO LAUNCH FEYENOORD VIVA
FOOTBALL ACADEMY
23/01/2018 Dissemination of a Marketing Press Release, transmitted by EQS
Group.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 23, 2018 05:24 ET (10:24 GMT)
