New Delhi: The impact of sports in connecting the world didn’t go unnoticed at the News9 Global Summit, which kicked off in Stuttgart on Thursday. At the three-day event, sports has been earmarked as one of the major aspects of Indo-German collaboration alongside business, economy, technology, culture, and others. During the session of “Sportstainment – Harnessing Soft Power”, sports was discussed in depth and how it’s impact is taking over the globe.
It is noteworthy that Germany has been actively involved in the promotion and development of football and has also taken several initiatives to spot, scout, and nurture fresh talent, turning them into professional stars. Bundesliga, after partnering with the TV9 Network, entered into the Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra government to pledge commitment for nurturing the Indian football ecosystem.
Several notable panelists were called upon the stage during the session and Stephan Hildebrandt, the director of Youth Development at VfB Stuttgart, shed light on sports and its global impact. While talking about the hosting of big-ticket events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and reminiscing about his work time in New Delhi, Stephan said, “Sports is building bridges and sports is about creating values in terms of economics. This is what I experienced in my work and of course, sports as well.”
Stephan also laid emphasis on the investment into the grass root development of a player. He was asked about the impact of football in the far regions of the world and the rise of Spaniard Lamine Yamal who is making heads turn with his tremendous skillset at the tender age of 17. Stephan said that football has a long tradition in Europe and that the sport is “growing from bottom to top, not the other way around.”
Sports is about building bridges and creating value in terms of economics. This has been my experience: Stephan Hildebrandt, Director of Youth Development, VfB Stuttgart@VfB @Bhardwajmeha @krishnaksays #IndiaGermany #News9GlobalSummit #News9GlobalSummitGermany #TV9Network pic.twitter.com/bbQkkEBejp
— News9 (@News9Tweets) November 21, 2024
Sports content and India
Also speaking at the session was the founder of Tibetan Blue Advisory Services, Jay Frankovich, who started off by talking about the UFC and boxing. He highlighted the recent fight between YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul with legendary Mike Tyson, reflecting on how sports is generating huge revenue while also maintaining the viewer’s engagement part.
“India is promoting content & putting money behind content. And they are putting money behind platforms delivering that content,” says Jay Frankovich, Founder, Tibetan Blue Advisory Services@Bhardwajmeha @krishnaksays #IndiaGermany #News9GlobalSummit #News9GlobalSummitGermany pic.twitter.com/UIEFiqELo6
— News9 (@News9Tweets) November 21, 2024
Jay also heaped praise on India for promoting sports content and opined the amalgamation of sports with entertainment. “India is promoting content & putting money behind content. And they are putting money behind platforms delivering that content. If you connect sports and the entertainment side of things, that’s where the growth values,” Jay said during the session.
Also among the panelists were Oliven Mahn, Board Chairman of the Baden-Württemberg Film Office, and Friedrich Radmann, the MD of Constantin Film AG who majorly talked about the Indian and German cinema and the cultural impact of both the nations on their respective film industries.
Speaking at the News9 Global Summit, Stephan Hildebrandt, the director of Youth Development at VfB Stuttgart, emphasised on how sports is connecting the globe by “building bridges”. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
