Fouzi Lekjaa has been at the helm of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) since 2014, spearheading a transformative era for Moroccan football. A key figure in global football governance, he serves as a FIFA Council member and 2nd Vice President of CAF, where he chairs the Finance Commission. Under his leadership, Morocco has made historic strides, including the men’s national team’s groundbreaking semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and a tenfold increase in investment in women’s football. He has also driven major infrastructure projects, such as the Mohammed VI Football Complex, and played a pivotal role in Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Beyond football, Lekjaa serves as Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget, demonstrating his broad influence in national and international affairs.

Naïr Abakar is a prominent African entrepreneur, sports executive, and influential figure in African football. Currently serving as a Special Advisor to the Chadian Football Federation and Vice-President of its Normalization Committee, he successfully revitalized Chad’s national football championships and youth competitions, sparking renewed enthusiasm among fans and stakeholders. In 2020, he co-founded the «École des Champions» academy with legendary footballer Samuel Eto’o, fostering young African talent through strategic partnerships with prestigious clubs such as Raja Casablanca and AS FAR Rabat. Since January 2024, Naïr has further extended his influence as a football analyst specializing in African football for Canal+’s prominent show, J-1. His international recognition, expertise, and strong advocacy for African football continue to position him as a key player shaping the future of the sport on the continent

Eniola Aluko is a former professional footballer who represented Chelsea, Juventus and England making 104 appearances over 11 years and playing for Great Britain in 2012 London Olympics. She leads a multi-hyphenate career after graduating from Brunel University with a First class honors in Law (LLB) and qualified as a UK solicitor. Eni became the first black female to invest in and own stakes in a football club in Italy after her investment in Mercury 13 multi club ownership group owning majority stakes in Como Women FC in early 2024. She was honoured with an MBE in November 2023. Eni’s passions include travel, creative arts, fashion, food and chess!

Clare Akamanzi is an accomplished business executive and international trade and investment lawyer who was named NBA Africa CEO in December 2023. She oversees the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa and is responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent, including through grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families. Prior to joining the NBA, Akamanzi spent six and a half years as CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB). She was recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.

Razan is a seasoned football reporter and producer with over a decade of experience in the industry. Holding a Master’s degree in Public Policy, she brings a unique perspective to sports journalism, combining analytical skills with her passion for storytelling. Her love for football began before she even watched cartoons, shaping a lifelong dedication to the sport. Razan has worked extensively with international players, creating compelling content that showcases their journeys both on and off the pitch. With an eye for detail and a deep understanding of the game, Razan continues to make an impact in the world of sports media, sharing stories that inspire and connect fans globally.

At TikTok, my role as Publisher Partnerships Manager harnesses the dynamic intersection of content strategy and new media, where I craft innovative digital partnerships. My expertise in editorial processes and blogging has been pivotal in forging robust relationships with publishers, ensuring a stream of engaging content on our platform.

A Dominican Republic native thriving in Europe, I bring nearly two decades of leadership in international sports, media, and entertainment. My expertise lies in forging transformative partnerships and driving digital innovation, blending media, sports, technology, and pop culture to engage global audiences. With a background in Economics and Banking & Finance, I have led digital transformation and secured sponsorships for some of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment brands, including ESPN, Turkish Airlines, Euroleague Basketball, adidas, Rakuten, New York Yankees, and Palladium Hotel Group. I specialize in crafting content and brand experiences that captivate young, affluent consumers while generating measurable ROI. My work bridges Europe and the Americas, catalyzing growth in key international markets. Backed by an extensive global network, I deliver strategic leadership and operational excellence to organizations and private equity firms aiming to scale their portfolio companies and drive international expansion, particularly across EMEA and the USA.

Jean-Baptiste has spent the past 10 years in the sports industry, holding various roles that ultimately led him to spearhead innovation at UEFA, where he established the UEFA Innovation Hub. As the Chief Strategy Officer at LaSource, he now leads the consulting division, guiding tech clients and startups in the European and International sports industry

I m Hatim Ben Seddik, sporting director of Ittihad riyadi Tanger FS, i have a master degree in Sport management, and i am a PhD student in sport sciences.

Attorney-at-law offering legal services to the sports industry. 10 years of experience at FIFA, including Head of FIFA TMS and of FIFA Regulatory Enforcement. Trusted advisor of different stakeholders (athletes, coaches, clubs, federations and leagues, among others) and litigator before main sports tribunals.

Born on February 4, 1976, in Thiemping, northern Senegal, Abdoulaye Thiam is a journalist with a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Institut Supérieur de l’Information et de la Communication (ISSIC). He is the coordinator of Sud Quotidien, the first private and independent daily newspaper in Senegal, where he climbed the ranks from intern to Deputy Publishing Director.

In August 2017, Mr. Thiam was elected President of the National Association of Sports Press of Senegal, a position to which he was re-elected in August 2021 for a second four-year term. On February 25, 2023, he was appointed head of AIPS Africa during the 7th Congress held in Dakar.

Thiam is also known for his radio and television columns. He has covered four FIFA World Cups (2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022), three Olympic Games (2016, 2020, and 2024), ten Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournaments, and five World Athletics Championships.

Senior sport executive with over 30 years of experience. From professional basketball player to head of the European players Union, Head of the Spanish basketball federacion (FEB), VP NBA in EMEA, CEO Legends IBERA and now in DAZN

Professor Simon Chadwick is a researcher, writer, academic, consultant, advisor, and speaker, whose work focuses on leading and managing in complex environments. His particular areas of expertise are in policy and strategy, international and global markets, as well as business and marketing. Chadwick also serves as an Evosport adviser

With a degree in Sports Science, I have extensive experience as a fitness coach, including a key role at Aspetar in Aspire Zone (Qatar), where I contributed to developing players for the World Cup. I also worked with Al Ahli SC in Qatar, further enhancing my expertise in high-performance training. Additionally, I was a coach in the Real Madrid Foundation, leading camps in Mexico and Brazil. At Sevilla FC, I was the fitness coach for the first team and later served as Director of Club Methodology. Now, my focus is on international sports projects, aiming to expand the club’s global presence, develop talent, and create strategic partnerships.

I hold a Master’s degree in Business Law (University of Montpellier, France) and a Master of Law (University of Florida, Gainesville, USA). I have been the founder and CEO of Éditions droitdusport.com (France) since 2007. I have been the founder and CEO of Football Legal (International) since 2013.

Creative and results-driven Senior Marketing & Business Development Professional with extensive experience across the sports and publishing sectors in the Middle East. Skilled in strategic marketing, brand development, digital campaigns, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven track record of leading high-impact projects that elevate brand visibility and customer engagement. Currently serving as Business Development Director at the holding company that owns El Qalaa El Hamraa, spearheading the development of the iconic Al Ahly Stadium. A natural leader with strong commercial acumen, team-building capabilities, and a passion for delivering innovative marketing solutions. Co-founder of Realguia Startup, and previously led major initiatives with Al Ahly Football Club, the U-17 World Cup, and the Arab Football Competition. Bilingual in English and Arabic, and highly adept at driving business growth through strategic alliances and creative execution.

Sport marketeer with over 15 years of experience in the sport and entertainment business.

Amr Elrawi is an award-winning sports business leader with over 25 years of experience across Telecom, Technology, Financial Services, Sports, and Retail. Known for driving innovation and delivering transformative projects, he has a proven track record of creating significant commercial impact in the sports industry. An investor and advisor to several sports businesses, including Game Changers (Sports Digital Transformation Agency) and PSK Analytics (youth player performance measurement), Amr leverages data and technology to drive sustainable growth. His achievements include developing the first data and technology partnership for the English Premier League, managing SailGP’s technology partnerships integrating AI and NFTs, and securing Oracle’s title sponsorship for Red Bull Racing in F1. Previously, Amr held leadership roles at Avery Dennison, Oracle, and Tottenham Hotspur, where he enhanced fan experiences, increased digital engagement, and delivered innovative solutions for global sports organizations like Real Madrid, MLS, and LaLiga. A graduate of Warwick Business School with an Executive MBA, Amr is also a professor, public speaker, and business advisor, recognized for his passion for sports innovation and measurable impact.

Multiple award winning sports journalist Mimi Fawaz has established herself as one Africa’s most respected broadcasters. Presented several. programmes on BBC such as Focus on Africa Sport which broadcasts to over 400 million people weekly worldwide and BBC Sport Today programme. She’s also a regular contributor on CNN Sport.

Deputy Chief Member Associations Division and Regional Director for Africa at FIFA Gelson Fernandes is a former Swiss international footballe. He brings a wealth of experience to his role, focusing on strengthening global football development and fostering collaboration between FIFA and its 211 Member Associations. Committed to inclusivity and progress, he plays a key role in initiatives that enhance infrastructure, promote accessibility, and tackle discrimination in football. His leadership is particularly instrumental in Africa, where he works to create sustainable opportunities for national federations. With a clear vision for the future, Gelson Fernandes is dedicated to making football a truly global sport and a powerful tool for social impact worldwide.

After a successful football career, I retrained in sports management and obtained a Master’s degree in sports management from UEFA. I have been heading the Cameroon National Football Union for 9 years and, at the same time, I am the President of the African Division of FIFPRO.

As President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Amadou Gallo Fall led the historic league’s launch in May 2021 and defines its vision and strategy for years to come. Fall oversees the league’s business and basketball operations, leading its efforts to build a comprehensive basketball ecosystem in Africa. Prior to being named BAL President in May 2019, Fall was Vice President & Managing Director of NBA Africa, where he worked with local federations, corporations, NGOs and other key stakeholders to grow the game of basketball across the continent. He helped open the NBA’s office in Johannesburg in 2010 and over the next decade oversaw the league’s grassroots development efforts and partnerships with marketing, media and consumer products companies in Africa.

More than 20 years connected to Footbal and Futsal, with 2 masters in Youth Development and in Footbal, with experience of all age groups. More than 10 years at Benfica, being now the Technical Coordinator of international projects of Benfica around the world

I am a believer in the power of football (soccer) as enabling force for radical collaboration and a force for society wide change. With Common Goal we gather the best in class social enterprises that promise to increase and/or accelerate impact significantly by integrating football into their local solutions, accelerating transformation in their communities. With the vision that every child everywhere shall have access to a safe space to play, learn and thrive, Common Goal mobilises leadership, influence and resources in the football industry and beyond.

Enthusiastic about system change and football (soccer) as a force for social good. With streetfootballworld we gather the best in class social enterprises that promise to increase and/or accelerate impact significantly by integrating football into their local solutions. Now trying to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem and mobilise the football industry to contribute efficiently to sustainably scale the impact.

Mohammed Hamdi joined ADO Den Haag, Netherlands, in the role of CEO on September 1, 2019 and left the Footballclub in May 2021. ADO Den Haag was owned by the Chinese sports marketing company United Vansen which is based in Beijing. He has been working in sports environment and development for 10 years in several positions. He enjoys vast experience in helping to build new businesses, development of propositions, and also acts as a bridge builder between different entities. Hamdi has taken up challenging tasks at the Dutch association football club ADO Den Haag FC, and at two major sports marketing companies and has succeeded in achieving the desired objectives. At Lagardere Sports & Media (SPORTFIVE), Hamdi was responsible for UEFA EURO 2016, and as Director Football Netherlands he represented three football clubs looking after their marketing activities in the Netherlands. He also served a stint at the Infront Sports & Media and was responsible for a number of sporting events. Presently, he is also responsible for the commercial and marketing activities of Al-Jazira FC in Abu Dhabi and is engaged in the further development of the football market and segmentation of the club. Hamdi is licensed as management professional football C-level at the Dutch FA (KNVB Expertise education in 2016) and has earned his Bachelor of Sports Business Management degree from BOSA. He has completed the Negotiation Mastery course at the prestigious Harvard (University) Business School in recent months and earned his certificate at the end of December 2021. In October 2023, Mohammed started a new role at Feyenoord Rotterdam.

Currently a Head of Digital and Marketing products at Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF). Sherif Hassan has more than 18 years of experience in digital content marketing and products, brings experience from previous roles at Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), MBC studios and Lagardère Sports. Sherif Hassan holds a 2021 – 2021 Diploma of Education in Strategic communications from UEFA Academy. With a robust skill set that includes Marketing products, Sales, News Writing, Leadership, Copy Editing,

Native of Guadeloupe (French West Indies), Kenny Jean-Marie is a former French high civil servant with a strong and diverse educational background. Over the past decade, he has become one of the most experienced sports executive worldwide, from public sector (French sports authorities), to associations (FFF and FIFA) and now entrepreneurship (KJM Conseil). Governance and strategy are his bread and butter.

Jovin Matovu «Jenkins»  is a seasoned, visionary marketing and commercial leader with a passion for transforming sports into sustainable business ventures. As the Chief Commercial Officer of the Uganda Premier League, Jovin has spearheaded innovative strategies to drive revenue growth, enhance fan engagement, and attract high-value sponsorships, positioning the league as a rising force in African football.A member of the Uganda Marketers Society, Jovin brings a wealth of experience in marketing, branding, and stakeholder management. He has successfully collaborated with leading global and regional brands to elevate the visibility and commercial appeal of sports.Jovin is also a passionate advocate for leveraging innovation and partnerships to unlock the potential of sports ecosystems. As a thought leader and speaker, he is committed to inspiring growth and fostering value-driven connections across the football industry.

Frédéric Oumar Kanouté, founder and CEO of 12 MANagement, is regarded as one of the best ever African footballers, with a distinguished career in the top leagues of France, England, and Spain. Kanouté is also the winner of many trophies and accolades, including the Europa League, Spanish Cup, UEFA Super Cup and African Footballer of the Year. An outstanding humanitarian, his philanthropic work has raised millions of Euros for charity, including through the ‘Champions for Africa’ charity football matches. Qualified as a football coach, his work now involves mentoring and developing the football stars of the future.

With more than 25 years’ experience in IT, entertainment and esports, Désiré Koussawo is a well-known figure in the French gaming community, the political sphere and among professionals, far beyond esports.
Formerly Managing Director of ESL France, a subsidiary of the largest esports company in the world, he is the cofounder and honorary president of Futurolan Association, organizer of Gamers Assembly, the biggest France Lan-Party.

Currently President of France Esports Association, Désiré is heavily invested in the development and shaping of esports alongside public actors, from local, national to global.

With his last company, SAGES Africa, he’s also involved since 2019 in the development and shaping of esports in Africa.

Debbie Larry-Izamoje, is the CEO of Brila Media Group, a pioneer in Africa’s sports media industry. She transformed Brila FM into a full-scale multimedia powerhouse, expanding its digital footprint and redefining “sportainment” across Africa. Recognized for her leadership, Debbie won the 2024 Future Awards for Intrapreneurship, was named COO of the Year (Sports Media) by C-Suite Insider UK, and became the youngest female Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing, Nigeria. She was also honored in Brand Communicator’s 35 Under 35 and Power Women’s Network’s Top 100 Powerful Women. Passionate about women’s sports, she founded Football for Girls Africa (FGA) to empower young girls through football. She played key roles in rebranding the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament and is part of the task force of the NWFL under the sisterhood campaign. Debbie holds degrees from the University of Sheffield and UCL, with certifications from Harvard, MIT, and Lagos Business School.

Serves as the General Secretary for the Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB) and FIFPRO Africa. His pivotal role involves organizing and coordinating the work of football unions across Africa to develop essential statutory instruments, including the conclusion of Collective Bargaining Agreements, establishment of functional National Dispute Resolution Chambers, introduction of standard contracts, and enactment of Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. As a vocal advocate for football players’ rights, dedicated to helping athletes identify and seize emerging opportunities that can provide substantial value during their careers and beyond, he has been able to continuously transform FIFPRO Africa into a model of an effective operational system that puts players as a priority. Has been appointed as a National Course Director by the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC).

I am the inaugural Director of the Member Association Division at CAF, a Division that was established by the CAF President in 2022. In my role, I am responsible for managing relationships with our 54 CAF member associations, ensuring effective collaboration and communication across the continent with Presidents and head of the administration. I oversee efforts in safeguarding practices, lead the CAF African Schools Football program, and oversee project governance aimed at capacity building of the football federations. Within the Member Associations Division, whose purpose is to envisage and coordinate the policy of CAF football development, to safeguard and strengthen the relationship between CAF and its 54 Member Associations (MA) on behalf of the CAF President and CAF Executive Committee, the mission of the Director of MAs is the development football on the continent, according to the principles of integrity, ethics, solidarity, equality of treatment and in cooperation with the MAs themselves.

For over 30 years I have been active at the top level in Management Consulting, assisting Governments and Private Entities around their advisory needs. I led hundreds of projects and assisted Boards and CEOs on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, Corporate Governance, Strategy, Operating Model and Operations, Marketing, HR and Change Management, Restructuring, Ventures and Private Equity, Strategic Technology. I bring a wealth of expertise on sectors, specifically: Government, Financial Services (Banks, Insurance, Funds, SWFs), Logistics, Tourism and Travel, Sports, Aviation and Airports, Industrial. Over my career I served clients across Europe, Turkey, Middle East and selected areas of the Americas. I have been a participant and speaker in many global events and conferences (i.e.: Davos, Euromoney, Dubai Air Show, Expo 2020, etc.). I am an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Luiss Dubai Hub, supporting the Business School within several executive programs. I am also collaborating with IE Business School as part of the teaching team in both UAE and KSA Hubs. Since 2014 I belong to the Order of Knight as appointed by the President of the Italian Republic

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group, a leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, serves on multiple advisory boards, including the African Energy Chamber, the Royal African Society, the EU-African Chamber of Commerce, and the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business. Nicolas focuses on delivering high-level counsel for APO Group’s clients and developing his investment fund dedicated to Africa. Recognised among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2023 and 2024, Nicolas is credited for his ‘’mastery of Africa’s media landscape’’, earning the trust of prominent business and political leaders globally. He is particularly interested in using his influence to transform sports and create opportunities for youth in Africa. Under his leadership, APO Group has achieved significant growth and established credible partnerships with major organisations like the NBA, the World Health Organisation, the Roman Catholic Church in Africa (Holy See), and the African Union

Growing up in the historic city of Rabat, Morocco, Zineb Rechiche is a trailblazer in both sports and business. Her passion for football began at an early age, leading her to represent clubs across multiple countries, including France (PSG, FC Massy 91, COMB Bagneux, FCF Juvisy), Canada (Carabins, Montreal Elite Concordia, CRDP 88), Spain (Atletico Madrid, CF Pozuelo de Alarcón), the US (BCU Chicago, Atlanta Silverblacks), Switzerland (FC Zurich), and the UAE (Abu Dhabi Country Club). Despite the demands of a rigorous football career, Zineb remained committed to education, earning a Trilingual Finance Degree from HEC Montreal and furthering her studies at ICADE Business School. Fluent in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish, she seamlessly navigates cultural and linguistic boundaries, a skill that proved invaluable as she transitioned into the corporate world. She joined the prestigious GE Financial Management Program and Corporate Audit Staff, later serving as Global Finance Director at Baker Hughes (2020-2023). Leveraging her deep expertise in finance and sports, Zineb made history as the first Arab female FIFA agent in the Middle East. Now, she is redefining athlete management with ZYA a top-tier agency built on a ‘By Players, For Players’ ethos.

Sarah is a lawyer and sport governance specialist with 10+ years’ experience in the football industry. Since her roles at FIFA, she has been promoting collaboration and strategic partnership across the football ecosystem. More recently, in view of increasing debates around the future of European club football, Sarah decided to embark on a new adventure with the European Club Association (ECA). In her new role, she contributes to the association’s governance reform programme to evolve its membership structure. The goal is to assemble everyone, men’s and women’s clubs, under one roof in order to strengthen the ability of European clubs to be heard en masse. To date, she has led the acquisition of 100+ clubs into the ECA membership. Sarah is regularly invited around the world as a keynote speaker at sport business conferences and sport academic programmes.

Amir Tawfik is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Football Contracts Director of Al Ahly Football Company, the largest football club in Africa and the Middle East. He has held this position since February 2023, following five years as the marketing and football contracts director at Al Ahly Sports Club. Amir embarked on his professional journey after successfully completing the FIFA CIES Diploma in March 2015. Prior to that, he had a remarkable career as a professional goalkeeper, playing in the Egyptian premier league and Egyptian national teams. His career journey has helped him develop a strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and determination, which are the vital qualities in both sports and business. Driven by his passion and deep admiration for the game, Amir dedicated his focus to the broader impact of sports, firmly believing in its potential to shape nations and countries positively. His unwavering ambition to contribute to the industry has led him to lead one of the most prominent football companies in the Middle East.

Zubair is a serial entrepreneur, who is currently Partner and Global Vice President, Culture at Meltwater.

With his experience focusing on SAAS, global strategy and expansion, Zubair has a pedigree for developing leadership talent and high performance teams across markets.

Specializing in the sports and luxury sector, he has been involved in developing esports, specifically, chess to an award winning level.
Based in Dubai, his commitment towards inclusivity has enabled various social and community initiatives, namely executive allyship for female leadership.

Having extensively developed commercial operations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, China, Japan and South-East Asia, his passion is emerging markets and their interplay with innovation.

He has a degree in European Law and Masters in Medical Law. Given his thirst for education, he has a Post Grad in Global Business from the University of Oxford.

Zubair is a published contributor for Forbes and Campaign Magazine, he continues to be an active commentator for inclusivity in sport and culture.