AFC Asian Cup secures Australia-Korea Foundation Grant
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and A-League clubs will work together to host Korean themed events at matches in 2013/14.
LOC Chief Executive Michael Brown said the Asian Cup had been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Australia-Korea Foundation to increase Australia's understanding of Korea.
Brown explained "in the lead up to the AFC Asian Cup in January 2015, we are going to work with a range of groups is to raise Australians' awareness of Asia and of Asian football.
"Thanks to the support of the Australia-Korea Foundation, we will be working with A-League Clubs to promote Korea, Korean football and the Asian Cup throughout 2013-14."
The Australia-Korea Foundation provides grants to organisations to increase awareness of the relationship between Australia and Korea and to strengthen those relations.
Brown said hosting the AFC Asian Cup was a once in a generation opportunity for Australia to integrate the country into Asia, adding "the eyes of Asia will be on Australia in January 2015 and we as a country need to take advantage of that.
"Korea is Australia's fourth largest trading partner and based on figures from previous tournaments we expect tens of millions of Koreans to tune in to the Asian Cup in 2015 and thousands more to travel here for the tournament.
"This provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to promote Australia to Asia and build economic, diplomatic and social links across the continent."
As a result of finishing third at the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, Korea Republic has already qualified for the 2015 tournament. Korea DPR has also qualified along with Japan and hosts, Australia.
The AFC Asian Cup is the Asian Football Confederation's premier competition and the pinnacle for the Confederation's 47 member nations. AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 will take place between 9th and 31st January 2015 with matches in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Canberra and Newcastle.
The AFC Asian Cup 2015 is being jointly-funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland, NSW, ACT and Victorian Governments.
For more information go to www.afcasiancup.com
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