Beckenbauer in China, not only for football

Football Emperor Franz Beckenbauer arrived in Beijing at noon on July 15. Beckenbauer China tour started with understanding China's football, and then developed into communicated with representatives from sports, media and commercial sectors, aiming at understanding China sports development from full perspective. He hoped to bring "Camp Beckenbauer" to China to contribute to the development of China sports industry.

Beckenbauer pays great attention to youth football promotion. He believes youth football is the foundation of the sport, and youth education determines the future of sports industry. Hence, Beckenbauer chose youth football as a key to understand China sports industry chain. In the afternoon of July 15th, he went to the football fields of Renmin University of China, where he watched the training of 24 young players from the Beijing Dongcheng Football Elite Camp. He was accompanied by retired football star Xie Hui, who played for the German professional football club, Alemannia Aachen, and Mr. Marcus Höfl, who is the co-founder of "Camp Beckenbauer".

Beckenbauer listened to the introduction of the 24 young players and also watched their training. The players are then divided into 2 teams for demonstration game. Beckenbauer studied the game and provided helpful tips and suggestion to the coach besides him.

"I pay a lot of attention to the development of youth football. The level of youth sports participation reflects the future of a country's sports. Football is the most popular sport all over the world, including in China. I come to China not as a coach, but from the perspective of promoting the sports development", Beckenbauer expressed his interest to media.

"China sports industry is developing rapaidly. Professional sports leagues and federations are seizing the China market. I have strong confidence in the future of China sports industry." Beckenbauer Said. Beckenbauer will meet China sports and business elites in the evening of July 16th, to understand more of the current situation and future development prospects of China sports industry.

Beckenbauer established "Camp Beckenbauer" in 2013. Camp Beckenbauer as a forum is "A Neutral Platform for Global Decision Makers of Sports, Business, and Society", to inspire and "Evolve New Way of Thinking and Simultaneously Develop Goal Oriented Solutions and Trigger (Positive) Changes". Some of the goals and innovative solutions for "Notable Challenges Facing the Global Sports Business" will be developed jointly with YLS (Young Leaders in Sports Summit), set up in collaboration and partnership with WHU Graduate School of Management (a full time associate professorship at the Center for Sports and Management), in a scientific and quantifiable manner.

"Camp Beckenbauer" not only connects the world with sports more closely, but also influences social development, education and fashion, and aims to cultivate young sports commercial management talents.

The platform brings elite entrepreneurs, sports celebrities, media, fashion brands, government officials, and academics all over the world together to share experience and resource.

Guests to the "Camp Beckenbauer " summit includes IOC President Thomas Bach, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge etc. Adidas, Mercedes Benz, the German Football Association, the German Football Federation, Bayern Munich Football Club, Dortmund Football Club and other notable enterpresis and organizations are partners of the "Camp Beckenbauer".

Beckenbauer's tour in China is just one small step of the "Camp Beckenbauer" China Strategy. He hopes the trip will establish friendship, strengthen cooperation, and lay strong foundation to joint efforts in raising the competition level of China sports on the global stage. And ultimately build a promising future of sports with partners in a sustainable, smart and tolerant approach.
Beckenbauer will host the first Beckenbauer Global Sports Summit in Asia in April, 2016 in Shanghai.