The England-Africa Football Week will take place in the form of a study tour from 29 May to 2 June 2023, coinciding with the final round of the English Premier League fixtures and the FA Cup final respectively, to foster greater partnerships between the country and Africa’s football stakeholders.
The study tour will include delegations from various National Sports Ministries from the African continent as well as football associations, leagues, clubs, academies, agents/intermediaries, media, broadcasters, community foundations and service providers respectively.
The primary objective of the study tour is to provide an interactive knowledge exchange to discuss cooperation and partnership opportunities.
Announcing the study tour in Johannesburg, South Africa, the organisers’ said that the aim of the initiative is for African football stakeholders to engage their English counterparts, who’ll share their lessons from the ground up in terms of managing modern-day football development in all its facets.
The initiative is also in line with the objectives of the annual UK-Africa Investment Summit, which according to the UK government, “Lays the foundation for new partnerships between the UK and African nations based on trade, investment, shared values and mutual interest.”
The study tour will kick off with a series of sports management masterclasses inclusive of sports leadership, marketing, sponsorship, sports policy development and sports management education, respectively and followed by Forums for respective stakeholders and networking events.
UK private sector football companies will also be part of the event presenting their services and products through a table-top exhibition showcase to find new markets and distribution channels in Africa.
With football in the UK, being a highly developed and establish business industry, with thousands of related suppliers, the African continent lends itself to vast and new opportunities, under the almost £40 billion per annum trade, between the UK and the continent.
The first-ever African-UK Football Legends Awards will also be a highlight of the event wherein recognition and accolades will be given to some of the continent’s finest football players who’ve plied their trade in the UK over the last century.
According to Gerrit Davids, MD of Gerom Media, Sports & Entertainment (Pty) Ltd, “This ground-breaking study tour will be inclusive of all football stakeholders from both Africa and England, respectively.”
“It will also focus on promoting partnerships between those participating as well as featuring interactive knowledge exchange sessions. Visits are also planned to Premier League clubs in London, Liverpool and Manchester, etc.”
