‘Strengthening Football Ecosystem’ theme of DIT's 2nd India interface

MUMBAI: The UK Department for International Trade (DIT) together with India On Track (IOT) and the Premier League, will bring key British and Indian football clubs, sports organisations and businesses together at the second holding of ‘The Football Movement’ conference here. 

The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Strengthening the Football Ecosystem in India’.  

This football conference, which takes place on March 2nd and 3rd, will give a platform to clubs, businesses and experts from India and the United Kingdom to interact and explore commercial opportunities in the sport. The Football Movement, jointly hosted by India On Track, is being held in partnership with the Premier League’s Indian broadcast partner Star Sports, India.com reports.

The two-day conference will feature keynote speakers including Richard Scudamore, executive chairman of the Premier League, John Gould, director for UK Trade and Economics, India at the British High Commission and senior representatives of the Indian Super League and Premier League clubs. 

Panel sessions, workshops and keynote speeches will provide a platform for UK and Indian businesses to discuss potential opportunities and the sustainability of the game in India’s emerging football sector.

Among the highlights of the conference will be the presence of England and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer at the conference.

“I’ve seen the power football has to bring communities together all over the world, whether through playing or coming together to watch the sport. It’s fantastic to see the growing interest in the Premier League in India and I hope that The Football Movement will identify opportunities and help establish partnerships that will contribute to the continued development of the local game,” a delighted Shearer is quoted as having said about his upcoming trip to India.

A delegation of UK businesses and top British football clubs are participating in the conference as part of DIT’s ‘Sport is GREAT’ campaign. The delegation includes top football companies such as; Amaven, Alad, Baltic Publications, Final Third Sports Media, PwC, Deltatre, AVC Immedia, Barriers International India, Steer Davies Gleave and senior management from the following clubs; Arsenal, Southampton, Everton, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and Charlton Athletic.

The Premier League trophy will also be on display at the conference.