FIFA MASTER ALUMNI - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - SYED ASIF HUSSAIN
Syed Asif Hussain
Current Position: Head of Competition at SAFF (South Asian Football Federation)
Year of Graduation: 2024 (24th Edition)
Nationality: Bangladeshi
What does your current role involve?
I have always been passionate about football and believe in the transformative power of sport. Driven by this purpose, I joined the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and in the early days, as the only employee, I learned first-hand every aspect related to management and regional governance while working on the ground organising competitions, venue operations, and also doing marketing and administering the SAFF Congress. It is rewarding that I am now currently serving as the Head of Competition at SAFF. The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) is one of the five regional federations under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The governance and operations of regional football are unique and different from those at the national level, with often a complex structure, capacity and power dynamic.
In my role I am responsible for the planning, organisation, and delivery of Tier-1 and Tier-2 competitions across seven countries in South Asia under the FIFA Forward 3.0 programme, aligning with both FIFA and AFC regulations. One of the rewarding parts of my work is to lead the process of introducing new competitions while enhancing existing ones to provide the best possible platform for athletes across the region. My responsibilities also include diversifying stakeholder management with Member Associations, competition scheduling, regulatory compliance, and strategic operational management to organise and maintain sporting and organisational standards of regional competitions.
Earlier in my career, I had the opportunity to work at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 as a Venue Competition Manager — my first experience working in a FIFA competition. It gave me an invaluable perspective into the operational excellence and attention to detail required at the highest levels of world football. Spearheaded by a third-party agency, I also handled PR and Communications on behalf of FIFA during the 96-hour-long FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour in Bangladesh, navigating through complex stakeholder management and delivering the highest standard of media engagement. These early experiences gave me a strong foundation in different aspects of operational management and crisis-solving, but it was the FIFA Master that truly broadened my perspective. I learnt how a wide variety of sports are structured and delivered at the highest levels through learning from industry experts, field visits, best practices, management frameworks, and operational excellence across the three countries where each module of the course is held. Now, in my current role, I constantly reflect on those insights and adapt them to the South Asian context, tweaking and implementing solutions that are practical, scalable, and aligned with the region’s unique needs. This combination of international knowledge and regional expertise defines my holistic approach and well-rounded offering to the football industry today.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
The FIFA Master provided me with a solid foundation in sports management, especially in terms of governance, leadership, and strategic operations. The course taught me to think critically about how global best practices can be tailored to regional realities, which is key to a developing market like South Asia. It honed my skills in managing diverse stakeholders, making data-driven decisions, and crafting strategies that drive football development. Most importantly, it gave me the tools to bridge the gap between high-level theory and real-world implementation — a crucial ability when navigating the complexities of organising competitions and fostering football growth in emerging regions. The management lessons, along with the insights from cultural and legal perspectives, have been invaluable in shaping my approach to tackling regional challenges. Additionally, I learnt a great deal from my classmates' diverse experiences, which enriched my understanding of global sports and enhanced my ability to adapt solutions across various contexts. I strongly feel that I am now ready with not just my practical skills and expertise in competition management and venue operations, but also rightly equipped with the best knowledge offered to thrive in the sports industry across football and beyond.
What advice would you give to future students?
It was a daunting leap and a ground-breaking achievement to become the first one ever from my country to make it to the FIFA Masters cohort. It is said that “You can’t be what you can't see”. But I dared to dream, and as I represent my country proudly waving that red and green flag, I also believe that no dream is too big to achieve. Representation matters, and in the sports industry, coming from an underrepresented background, it took me more effort and hard work than others to prove myself and own my place. When I first applied for the FIFA Master, I was questioned by many about my ability to succeed in such a competitive programme, especially given my background. But I took that as motivation to prove that with determination, focus, and an open mind, anything is possible.
My advice to future students is to embrace challenges, question your limits, and approach the programme with curiosity and an open mind. The FIFA Master will push you out of your comfort zone, but it is through this process that you’ll learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to challenge conventional thinking and always be ready to explore new approaches. The journey will be difficult at times, but if you stay curious and committed, you’ll come out with a mindset that empowers you to make an impact wherever you choose to work. FIFA Master alumni are thriving across top positions in the sports industry which gives me hope that someday my professional competence and credibility will also be recognised with global opportunities. Graduating from this programme has instilled that compelling faith in myself.
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 12 times by SportBusiness.
FIFA Master - 25 years of Excellence in Sport Business Education - organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
