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Australia's Victoria state announces sporting partnership with Chinese province of Sichuan

Xinhua, September 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a series of sporting partnerships with the Chinese province of Sichuan.

The announcement, including a number of football and tennis clinics, came days after Andrews announced that Sichuan was to be Victoria's newest sister state.

As a part of the partnership, Melbourne Victory, Australia's largest football club, will establish an arm of its youth academy in the region to discover young talent and promote the game.

"Melbourne Victory is delighted to be involved in this trade mission to China, given our reputation in Asia over the past decade and strong commercial relationships with Chinese companies," Ian Robson, Victory CEO, said in a media release on Monday.

"A new project for our club is the development of an Academy, aimed at advancing the football education of talented young athletes. We see it as a chance to develop partnerships with international clubs, and get involved in tournaments and exchanges."

Victory's presence in the province will be matched by Tennis Australia which will run its children's clinic program, Tennis Hot Shots, year-round in Chengdu to promote the Australian Open -- and tennis generally -- to Sichuan.

"The Australian Open has long been known as the Grand Slam of Asia Pacific and we want to grow the sport in this fast-growing region of China. It's fantastic to see the Victorian Government partnering with Sichuan to help us promote tennis in China," Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.

Andrews said both Victoria and Sichuan would reap the benefits of the sporting partnership.

"Melbourne is already the proud sporting capital, and our bond with China's fastest growing region will attract a new wave of visitors to iconic events like the Australian Open," Andrews said on Monday.

"This is an opportunity to help train the next generation and promote Victoria's best sporting attractions in China -- that's fantastic for tourism and great for jobs."

On Saturday, Andrews was joined by Sichuan Province Governor Yin Li to announce that Sichuan would become Victoria's fourth sister-state worldwide and first since 1994.

"This agreement creates real opportunities for business, education, culture and sport -- and Victorians will reap the rewards for many years to come," Andrews said on Saturday. Endit