On 17-18 March, the city of Durban will become the capital of the African football industry through WFS Africa. The largest event in the global football industry is landing on the continent for the first time and it will gather the most relevant stakeholders in the global and regional industry.
International leaders such as FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, LaLiga President Javier Tebas, and Argentinian legend Juan Sebastián Verón will share the stage with key African figures such as SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, Sierra Leone Football Association President, Isha Johansen, or KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, who chaired the official media launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Sihle Zikalala, Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, during the WFS Africa Media Launch in Durban.
“We are excited and very proud as the Province of KwaZulu-Natal to play host to such a global event that brings all those involved in the business of sports together,” said the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, who is the Main Partner of this 2-day networking event that is set to mark a turning-point for the African football industry.
“We are excited and very proud as the Province of KwaZulu-Natal to play host to such a global event that brings all those involved in the business of sports together,” Sihle Zikalala, Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, who is the
WFS Africa is expected to bring together over 1,000 attendees and 80 top speakers from 50 different countries, as well as some of the main sponsoring brands and the most influential national and international media houses. The economic impact of WFS summits for the host city exceeds 12 million euros.
Ethekwini Municipal Mayor, Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda said the Province is extremely excited to host this prestigious event. “This is indeed a vote of confidence to us that we remain the preferred venue for major international events. With over 1,200 delegates from around the world expected to attend the WFS, this will once again position Durban as a globally competitive city for investment and a venue of choice for sport events,” said Cllr Kaunda.
“WFS Africa will become the catalyst and driver of future projects. It is proven that WFS summits bring business and development to the communities”, Marcos Pelegrin, Country Managing Director – LaLiga
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
“We are absolutely convinced that the region gathers all the necessary ingredients for the football industry to bloom. The passion and talent that exists in Africa for football is unmatchable to that of anywhere else. Africa also has 20% of the world’s youngest population making it a market with a huge potential for growth”, said WFS Director, Jan Alessie.
WFS is confident that this will mark the beginning of a long-term relationship. “Today, we’re putting the first brick in an event which wants to build a robust and long-lasting house not only for WFS, but also for the African industry”, he said.
“Today, we’re putting the first brick in an event which wants to build a robust and long-lasting house,” Jan Alessie, Director of World Football Summit
LaLiga, Spain’s top-tier football league, is a Global Partner of WFS. Marcos Pelegrín, Managing Director for South of Africa, explained why he thinks this event can have a big and positive impact for the African football industry: “WFS Africa will become the catalyst and driver of future projects. It is proven that WFS summits bring business and development to the communities.”
Also present at the Media Launch were MEC for Economic Development, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, acting MEC for Arts, Culture Sport and Recreation Kwazi Mshengu, (representing MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela), Members of the Executive Council and Members of Provincial Legislature.
