Eduard Castell: LaLiga Hong Kong Delegate

Interview: Eduard Castell: LaLiga Hong Kong Delegate

by Christopher KL Lau

The status and stature of LaLiga is growing around the world with some of the world's best players displaying their talents there on a weekly basis. The growing popularity of LaLiga is also due to the tireless efforts of LaLiga delegates exerting maximum effort to promote and spread the excitement and skills of Spanish football around the world.

Eduard Castell, a LaLiga Hong Kong Delegate, is currently based in Hong Kong and helping spread the love and passion of Spanish football across the city. Castell is a very energetic and proactive man who spends his time promoting sports projects related to LaLiga and organizing public viewings where fans can experience the magic and passion of LaLiga.

In an exclusive interview, Castell took the time to discuss his views on LaLiga and the factors which make the league so successful around the world.

Castell first explained that the pedigree, class and style of the players in LaLiga meant that the Spanish clubs had the best players in the world and that recent results at continental club competition reflected this.

"I think it goes without saying that LaLiga has the best players and the best teams. Right now, Messi and Ronaldo are winning all the individual prizes like the Ballon D'Or. Even if we did not have players like Ronaldo then we have players like the French star Antoine Griezmann at Atlético Madrid. I think the best players are in LaLiga and I think everyone knows them."

"In terms of the teams, in the last few years, LaLiga has had a monopoly of the major European trophies such as the UEFA Champions League which Barcelona and Real Madrid are constantly winning; Atlético Madrid are also doing well in Europe.

In the Europa League, we had Celta Vigo in the semi-finals last season. Seville, who everyone knows, won three Europa Leagues finals in a row. That means that, behind all these statistics, we have the best teams. This shows all the LaLiga teams are winning and this is a great advertisement for LaLiga."

Castell went onto discuss how the unique game timings and stadium designs are also attracting a larger domestic audience. The game times are more family-friendly and conducive to a more inclusive environment.

"In the stadiums, since LaLiga have changed the kick off times, we have had a greater increase in attendance and an increase in fan numbers as the new kick-off times are more for family times and in Spain; 12 noon, 1pm and 4.15pm are times more suited for families going to the stadiums. The new Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid is a state of the art stadium and it is going to host the UEFA Champions League final in 2019."

The fervent Spanish supporters who fill the stadiums, week in and week out, to follow their teams through thick and thin are seen to be loyal supporters who can also appreciate world class performances when they see them.

"At Seville's stadium, there is a light show and the fans will sing the 'song' of Seville and continually support their team. Betis is one of the teams with the highest attendances across the whole of Europe with 53,000 fans who support them even to the last minute. Spanish fans also know quality when they see it and they acknowledge it; for example, everyone across Spain supports and applauds Andrés Iniesta because he gave us the only FIFA World Cup that Spain has. This shows the good support and fair play that football should encourage."

Castell went onto say that the Spanish style of play was appreciated and admired the world over and that fans from all around the world loved to tune in to see football played at the highest level.

"The way we play in Spain and the reason why there are so many LaLiga fans is because we have the ball on the grass. Most people will cite Barcelona as an example of the way they play. Betis are also playing well and are really offensive and entertaining the fans as well as being fun to watch."

Castell shared the LaLiga motto and what it symbolizes to fans around the world and their perceptions of Spain and its football culture. He also went onto discuss how both the English Premier League and LaLiga could be enjoyed by all.

"In our new motto "It is not football. It is LaLiga", it is how foreigners see Spain and football and people are crazy about football. When people think about Spain then they think about football and they are really passionate about football."

"I think there is room for both LaLiga and the English Premier League. At the end, LaLiga has been changing and the Asia Pacific is a key market. We have made an effort to change the kick off times. We have one game on at a stadium at 1pm (Saturdays) and one game on Sunday at 12 noon and a game at 4.15 pm on both days and these times are really Asia friendly. There is also one at 6.30pm  and one at 8.45pm; we also have fans in Mexico and South America so we need to balance. The game at 4.15pm is always a team in European competition or Valencia. It means one of the best matches of the weekend will be for the Asian market."

Castell went onto share how Spanish football was viewed in Hong Kong and how teams like Kitchee and Dreams have been inspired to play "Spanish" style football. Castell tries to go as often as possible to watch local games to see both the action and some of the Spanish players who call and have called Hong Kong home such as Juan Belencoso and Carlos Rodríguez Molina.

"Globally, we have a physical presence in 50 countries which is a lot, we have have an important relationship with our broadcasters. In Hong Kong, Now TV is doing a great job and they broadcast all the games. Once a month, they broadcast for free one game on ViuTV in order to reach more people."

Castell cited Kitchee as the best example of a football team in Hong Kong which had adopted the Spanish style of play and to great success.

"I think the best example is Kitchee, who before the Spanish contingent came, were about fifty years without a win. Now, on the field, you have Dani and Jordi. As a result, Kitchee are trying to play the ball on the grass as much as possible. At a local level, Kitchee are showing results but for the others, who may not have the same budget, like 'Dreams', they have hired five Spanish players.

Southern also have a lot of Spanish players. People are aware of the Spanish now and it shows as the grassroots of Spanish football is working really well. I think no one is surprised that Spain eventually won the World Cup and European Championships and this did not happen overnight, it took many many years from the grassroots up and the results could only be seen many, many years later."

LaLiga. It is just not football; for some it is a way of life and surely it can only grow further.

Interview: Joris Evers, Chief Communication Officer of LaLiga