Returning for its highly anticipated 5th year, on the 30th of August ‘BBC World News Football Connect’ will bring together more than 300 associates from premier media agencies and brands to play five-a-side matches and compete for the BBC World News Football Connect 2019 trophy.
Since its launch in 2014, this event has offered Mumbai’s media professionals the unique opportunity to test their skills on the pitch while building valuable relationships with colleagues from across the industry, with the event attracting everyone from CEOs and Account Directors to media planners and buyers. Hosted by BBC World News, the day will showcase the BBC’s substantial global offering across both the World News channel and online at BBC.com, demonstrating the BBC’s commitment to the Indian market, which now holds the biggest BBC news global audience growing from 30 to 50 million people in the past year.
“We can’t wait to dig out our football boots and get back on the pitch for BBC World News Football Connect 2019. This initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was first launched five years ago, and we remain as committed as ever to engaging the Mumbai media community and showcasing our excellent sports coverage and other offerings across BBC World News, BBC.com, mobile app and other platforms. We know that there is a huge potential market in India, with BBC News now available in nine languages across the country, we are delighted to see growth as we are reaching new audiences,’ said Vishal Bhatnagar, Sales Director, South Asia, at BBC Global News.
Moving this year to a bigger venue at Om Grounds Astro Turf Field at JVPD, Mumbai, the event promises to be better than ever with both the enduringly popular five-a-side matches and a VIP fan zone, where spectators can cheer the teams, participate in a foosball competition or test their teamwork skills in a host of activities, from building towers using 4ft Jenga-style blocks to games of air hockey and more. Guests will also be able to challenge their hosts from BBC World News to games with the opportunity of winning exclusive merchandise to take home.
Organisers remain committed to ensuring women have an opportunity to take up key positions on teams, and the ‘Golden Goal’ penalty shoot-out scheme will once again be a focal point of the event. At the start of each match, two women from every team will take part in a penalty shoot-out, acting either as goalkeeper or taking the all-important free kicks. In the event of a tie, the goals scored in the ‘Golden Goal’ penalty shoot-out will be added to the final score to determine the winning team.