JAVIER TEBAS is the president of the Spanish Football League. Since taking over as LFP president in April '13, Tebas has addressed several of the league's key issues, including match-fixing, distribution of TV revenue and the clubs' collective debt. In that time, he also has overseen the LFP World Challenge, which he says aims to "grow Spanish brands" and "promote minority sports." As part of the LFPWCH -- which is in the second of three planned seasons -- Tebas recently traveled to Barranquilla, Colombia, where he answered questions about both the initiative and several other topics related to the LFP via email.
On the LFPWCH's visit to Colombia ...
Javier Tebas: [The] LaLiga Promises tournament in Barranquilla was a great success. One of the primary aims of the project LFPWCH (LFP World Challenge) is to promote Spanish grassroots football internationally and Colombia marked the second time our under-12 players from LaLiga Promises have played abroad. Last season the tournament was held in Lima, and this time we decided, together with La Fundacion El Larguero, to stage an event in Barranquilla as the mayor showed considerable interest from the start of our conversations. As part of the event a local team comprising of underprivileged street children at high risk of social exclusion was created and they participated in the tournament alongside the Spanish clubs. The team, which was named TODO BIEN POR KILLA (All good for Killa), had an amazing experience and we are absolutely delighted to have helped in this way and to have worked with the mayor.
On James Rodríguez's impact on the league's popularity in the country ...
Tebas: Undoubtedly having James Rodríguez at Real Madrid is very important for LaLiga and its international expansion. South America historically has been a key market for LaLiga and the televised matches always draw huge audiences despite competition from the local leagues. With James Rodríguez at Real Madrid the South American, and in particular Colombian support should continue to grow.
On how the LFPWCH balances attracting new business partners and expanding the fanbase ...
Tebas: The aim of the LFPWCH is to grow Spanish brands and the value of Spanish businesses around the globe via the framework of Spanish football whilst at the same time helping promote minority sports. Last season, for example, the national female water polo world champions participated in the LFPWCH tour in China with Villarreal CF and the national female field hockey team participated together with Atlético de Madrid in San Francisco. Finally, Spanish Badminton world champion Carolina Marin participated in the LFPWCH Thailand tour with UD Almeria. This season, the national Taekwondo team traveled with Villarreal to Australia to participate in the LFPWCH event.
On the LFPWCH's accomplishments after a year-and-a-half ...
Tebas: The project is in its second phase and continues to grow. The 'Spain Experience' business events are consolidating and Spanish businesses now have the possibility to establish professional relationships within other markets thanks to football. What is more, the lesser-known clubs are now growing both their own name and that of LaLiga internationally. Equally, the federations of the minority sports are very grateful for the opportunities afforded to them to participate in this project and to practice their sport together with other international players.
On the biggest successes to this point ...
Tebas: LFPWCH events have been successful wherever they have been held. In large cities such as San Francisco, Mexico City, Adelaide, Lima, Santiago, Bogotá, Barranquilla and Kuala Lumpur the project has been a resounding success. Undoubtedly there are some factors which influence the success of the event, for example: better known players or clubs such as Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla.
On future destinations ...
Tebas: We are currently in the planning stages of the LFPWCH preseason tour and all I can say is that we are likely to have events in Asia and in South America.
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