FMA ‘Delivers Amazing’ at 11th FMA World Gathering at FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 in Qatar
Dearest members,
I write to you with great happiness after the resounding success of the recently concluded 11th FIFA Master Alumni World Gathering in Doha. Over the course of 3 days we had more than 100 alumni members present on the ground, as well as community stakeholders from CIES, the FIFA Master partner universities, FIFA, and the Qatar World Cup organizing committee with a video stream ready for those in our community unable to attend in person. It was an event of now familiar traditions (and maybe what could be newly established ones!); equal parts reunion, learning, and fun.
The World Gathering program kicked off with two days at the Ahmed Bin Ali stadium, beginning with our Congress on December 7. Here the FMA Committee communicated to you, the members we serve, what our vision and plans are in our individual and collective areas of focus. Guided as ever by the strategic plan Activate 2024, ideas and initiatives were shared regarding future World Gatherings, the Association finances and financial model, FMA-FIFA Master mentorship, marketing, social media, internal engagement, and strategic planning. Included during the event was a ‘Get to Know’ spotlight segment on an FMA member business which was conceived during the FIFA Master program, launched while FIFA Master Alumni, and demonstrates so well our community value and values. Kudos to the work and presentation of Kevin Goco (20th Ed.) and Grégoire Dayde (20th Ed.). You can watch the whole Congress HERE.
After a day of discussions came a memorable evening where we had the chance to play football on a World Cup stadium pitch. I think even Lionel Messi and Mathew Leckie, who played on the pitch just a few nights before, would have been impressed with some of the skills on display! Thankfully there was no heartbreak as was suffered during that match, there were no serious injuries, and a good time was had by all!
The following day, December 8, the FIFA Master Alumni Association hosted an International Business Conference. A packed room of 200+ attendees started the day, marked by the presence and opening remarks of FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and Q22 CEO Nasser Al-Khater, in addition to the welcome and familiar presence of the President of CIES Mr. Pierre Cornu. Included during my opening remarks at the event was a shared token of appreciation to a national football association that has consistently offered FIFA Master Alumni employment opportunities: the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF). This dedication offered to their president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, was highly appreciated and created exposure to put other similar organizations on notice of value of the FIFA Master Alumni Association as individuals and a community. Further, President Rodrigues suggested in his remarks the opening of a collaboration with the FIFA Master Alumni Association, including the donation of 50,000 Swiss Francs to the Jean-Louis Juvet scholarship fund (details yet to be agreed by FMA, but communications will be shared in due course). Enthralling panels ensued over the course of the day, ranging on subjects from delivering the Qatar World Cup, social impact initiatives in the region, a new generation of sports leaders, modern commercial partnerships, and the continued growth of women’s football. These panels featured high-profile speakers, among them several FIFA Master Alumni; my thanks to them all for sharing their time and insights with us.
Click here to watch the morning sessions and here to watch the afternoon sessions of the Conference (with apologies for a small technical hiccup during a portion of the streaming).
On the end of day 2, we all took a well deserved bit of rest and relaxation, getting together for a lovely dinner at the La Cigale hotel and a little fun in the evening at the rooftop bar.
Our programming closed with another special event, attending the Men’s World Cup quarter final match between Argentina and Holland. We were immersed in an intense atmosphere and some brilliant tactics on and off the pitch on both counts (my personal thanks to those who helped clear our seats!). The event and the football were a wonderful demonstration of the passion for sport and how it transcends just a simple game. A big thank you to FIFA for helping to organize a ticket block for our group!
We hope those who attended in person or online enjoyed the events of the Gathering. Hundreds of volunteer hours by Committee members, compounded by above-and-beyond hours of our Executive Director João Frigerio (5th Ed.), were spent to put on this amazing program to engage and bring our community together. My sincere thanks to our volunteer event lead organizers:
Nick Lau (4th Ed.) - lead organizer
Kristina Fraesdorf (11th Ed.) - primary organizer
Serge Assume (20th Ed.) - supporting organizer
Nada Sakr (22nd Ed.) - supporting organizer
This event also couldn't have together without the concerted efforts of alumni on the ground, our thanks to:
Pedro Trengrouse (4th Ed.)
Zach Joseph (6th Ed.)
Rhali Amrani (12th Ed.)
Mead Al-Emadi (16th Ed.)
Nina Lunkina (19th Ed.)
Sara Bilali (20th Ed.)
Jean Lee (20th Ed.)
Nisrein Al-Qaisi (21st Ed.)
We’re now left with wonderful memories of this event, all captured on camera by the masterful JJ Marroquin (1st Ed.). Click on the links to check out the photo albums of the World Gathering: Day 1 and Day 2.
An official video of the event will be uploaded to our YouTube channel soon. Make sure you subscribe and hit the bell icon to receive the notification of when new videos are uploaded.
But that’s not all! We know YOU all captured amazing content as well! We’re making a general appeal to please share your content with us in a shared photo album you can self-upload photos too, and be sure to check out the great content memorialized by our members!
As we continue to strengthen as an organization, as we reflect on a World Gathering ended we need your feedback and input in order to keep this, our marquee program of the FMA, relevant and well attended. Please fill out the survey to give us your unfiltered feedback, and be sure to let us know your thoughts about the next host for the World Gathering!
My best wishes for an end of year full of happiness, health, strength as we prepare for another wonderful year for our community.
Julian Smith
FIFA Master Alumni Association President
