Ossie attends AIA Football Carnivals in China

As part of Ossie Ardiles’ current trip to China, where he is taking part in the second season of the country’s nationwide grassroots programme, Football Dream, the Club legend took time out of filming to meet with AIA staff, customers and their families at a series of Football Carnivals.

Hosted by the Club’s principal partner AIA, which is also sponsoring Football Dream, Ossie and members of our Global Coaching team took to the stage to demonstrate a number of football skills and answer questions from the audience.

The AIA Football Carnivals have taken place in Guangzhou, Nanjing and Suzhou, attracting thousands of China’s football fans.

During the Carnival in Nanjing, the legends and coaches took to the pitch in a charity football match with AIA’s staff team. For every goal scored, AIA committed to donating 500 RMB to the China Youth Development Fund. After the 20 minute game, the final score was 9-3 to Ossie and his team.  

Club mascot Chirpy also made a special trip from the Lane to greet children and their families in front of a giant-sized Tottenham Hotspur shirt.

Speaking at the AIA Football Carnival in Suzhou, Ossie said: “It’s been a pleasure to meet so many people here in China who have a real passion for football. With projects like Football Dream and AIA’s Football Carnivals, combined with knowledge and experience from clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, we are helping China to make the necessary steps towards developing its footballing talent of the future.

“The carnivals have been a lot of fun and I hope everyone who attended has enjoyed themselves as much as we have.”

AIA will also be hosting Football Carnivals over the coming weeks in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.