SYDNEY: Michael Brown, ceo of the 2015 Asian Cup, believes hosting the tournament offers Australia a outstanding opportunity to develop and strengthen the nation’s economic ties with Asia

The tournament is being billed as the biggest sporting event to take place in Australia since Sydney held the Olympics in 2000.

Brown said: “The Asian Cup is the biggest sporting event in Asia and we see it as a fantastic opportunity to showcase Australia to Asia and the rest of the world.

“Australia has a long history of hosting fantastic sporting events and the benefits of hosting an event of this kind will not only leave a strong legacy for football, but also cement Australia’s place in the Asian economic community.”

The Asian Cup is expected to attract 45,000 international visitors and 3500 members of the international media. The tournament will also have a potential television audience of 2.5 billion.

Sensing the opportunity to develop business relationships and attract commercial activity, the bid to host the games was backed by Australia’s Federal Government, as well as the governments of Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.

Brown, in an interview with iSportconnect, added: “We believe there has never been a better opportunity to showcase Australia to football-mad Asia.

“The Asian market is critical to Australia. We know inbound tourism from China is growing 20 per cent year on year and China Southern have grown from 18 flights a week to Australia two years ago to more than 40 flights a week now.

“On a national level, this is an outstanding chance to strengthen cultural, social, diplomatic and economic ties with Asia.

“We want the tournament to open doors for government, to open doors for business, to open doors for tourism and to create new community connections.”

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