huaxi, GUIYANG city
THE EVENT
The 2019 Awards Ceremony Weekend, held in the fantastic setting of Huaxi, Guiyang, was a two-day celebration which included a number of local and international activities, focused on bridging cultures and celebrating the global impact of football.
The awards evening itself was filled with artistic and visual performances, amongst a star-studded line-up of footballing icons, past and present.
It was a fitting commemoration of greatness in all aspects of football, as well as an opportunity for meaningful connection between the local community and a roster of sporting royalty.
THE ACTIVITIES
On Saturday, the esteemed players in attendance engaged with local fans and community members by holding coaching sessions with local kids through the Football Achievers Academy Master Course, which is devoted to the development of youth football.
The goal was to open up opportunities for Chinese youth football players to enter the European youth training system, giving them the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their coaches for the day, players like Ruud Gullit, Steve McManaman and Andrea Pirlo.
THE CEREMONY
The Awards Ceremony was held in the Huaxi district of Guiyang, which will serve as the World Football Lifetime Achievement Award host city for the next five years.
After a successful day of local engagement with the next generation in Huaxi, the global message of the awards was broadcast around the world. Legends were honoured and role models highlighted for the generation to come.
Find a full list of last year’s categories and laureates here.
SUNDAY IN THE CITY
The following day, the winners, nominees, and guests took part in the ‘Superstars Endorsement for Huaxi and Guiyang’ and ‘Superstars Football Show’. These community themed events included a pro-am football match and an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the local heritage and footballing culture.
The last event on the weekend’s roster was the ‘Championship Imprint Event’ and ‘Fan Day’, where players left their footprints (and their marks as players) in the old city.
Ultimately, the weekend stimulated a great deal of connection between players, fans, youth players, city officials, and local media, as well as a lasting feeling of inspiration, ready to be continued next year.
THE HOST CITY
Guiyang, also called "Forest City" and "Zhu City", is an important gateway connecting the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road, a National Demonstration City of Ecological Civilization, and an important National Eco-leisure Resort Tourism city. It has won more than 30 honorary titles such as National Health City, National Eco-civilization City, the Summer Resort Capital of China, and Best Performance City of China. Guiyang is a modern city with plateau characteristics standing in a picturesque setting surrounded by forests and mountains. It is the first National Forest City and Circular-economy Pilot City in China. With the climatic advantages of suitable temperature, moderate humidity, favorable wind speed, low ultraviolet radiation, clean air, excellent water quality, suitable altitude, low energy consumption in summer and so on, it is ranked number 1 in the "Top Ten Summer Tourism Cities in China" and was awarded the title of "Summer Resort Capital of China" by the Chinese Meteorological Society.
Weekend Itinerary
SATURDAY
10:00 — 12:00 FOOTBALL ACHIEVERS ACADEMY Master Course
14:30 — 17:30 Formal Meeting
19:00 — 22:30 FOOTBALL ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2019 CEREMONY
SUNDAY
9:00 — 12:00 FOOTBALL ACHIEVERS AWARDS Superstar Endorsement for Huaxi and Guiyang
14:00 — 16:30 FOOTBALL ACHIEVERS AWARDS Superstars Football Show
20:00 — 22:00 FOOTBALL ACHIEVERS AWARDS Championship Imprint Event and Fan Day Event