Football
Gabriel Tan 8y

Valencia tie up with Geylang Int., plan 2017 game in Singapore

Spanish giants Valencia have committed to helping develop football in Singapore after announcing a year-long series of events which will culminate with them playing at the National Stadium next year.

Valencia, who finished 12th in the recently concluded season, arrived in Singapore on Wednesday to announce the Singapore Football Festival, in partnership with La Liga and supported by Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

A media conference to announce their plans marked the start of five-day stay which will see them conduct a series of community events.

They will also make a trip over the Causeway to Johor Bahru on Thursday morning to visit reigning Malaysia Super League and AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim.

The club revealed that they had agreed a three-year partnership with S.League outfit Geylang International, which will eventually see the introduction of the Valencia Soccer School in Singapore.

Most of Valencia's top players were unable to make the trip to Singapore due to next month's Euro 2016 and the Copa America Centenario. But the club were still able to bring four players in Australia international Mat Ryan, fellow goalkeeper Jaume Domenech, defensive midfielder Javi Fuego and up-and-coming forward Santi Mina.

Club legends Gaizka Mendieta and David Albelda, who were both part of the side that reached back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001, have also travelled in their capacity as club ambassadors.

"We're here to announce a new initiative in Singapore starting next year, or actually, towards the end of this year and culminates with Valencia CF coming to Singapore next summer," said Peter Draper, the club's commercial and marketing director. "This isn't just about coming and playing a game, but trying to give something to football in Singapore and the region.

"This is about embracing local football, working with Football Association of Singapore to understand what it is they want from their goals, and helping to build the sport in this country.

"We're going to start this year with some small things and build towards an event that will take place here at the National Stadium.

"This is a commitment to Singapore (and) when we bring the team here, we hope we will have an amazing response next year at the National Stadium."

Valencia already have strong links to Singapore, given their owner, Peter Lim, hails from the island nation.

While this provides a good foundation, Los Che coach Pako Ayestaran believes more must be done if the club are to truly connect with their global audience.

"Historically, Valencia has been one of the main brands in La Liga and this has happened because of the success and silverware Valencia has achieved over the years," he said. "But I think what is more important than just getting results is for supporters to identify with the values of your club, because results may come and go.

"You have to set the right values that people can relate to and then, I think, you have a great opportunity.

"It all depends on what your brand can offer to the market and I think this is what the club is trying to sell at the moment."

Having long played second fiddle to the English Premier League in the popularity stakes, Mendieta believes the right steps are being taken by Spanish football's top flight. Mendieta also played for Barcelona, Lazio and Middlesbrough in England.

"In the last few years, La Liga has been trying to expand and I think it's very important," said the former midfielder, who won 40 caps for Spain. "It's important that Singaporeans feel close to the club and its players and that's raising a lot of awareness for La Liga.

"I also think it's important that we're not trying to impose anything of our own, but we're trying to collaborate with the locals to improve the coaches and players."

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who has been a frequent visitor to Singapore through the Peter Lim Foundation, had a disastrous spell in charge of Valencia this season. In four months, he won only nine of 26 games before being sacked at the end of March.

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