FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Tuale Charles Ajuyah
Tuale Charles Ajuyah
Current position: Media Counsel, International Olympic Committee
Year of graduation: 2023 (23rd Edition)
Nationality: Nigerian
What does your current role involve?
My role involves ensuring that the Olympic Games are distributed to the widest possible audience, as required by the Olympic Charter, while also ensuring that we generate as much revenue as possible, which is then reinvested back into the Olympic Movement. Together with my brilliant team, we are in the privileged position of shaping how the Olympic Games are consumed across both digital platforms and traditional broadcasting. Primarily, that is what I do. So far, so good. I am enjoying the experience and learning every day. It is thrilling to work with different stakeholders within the Olympic Movement, and we continue to grow through that experience.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
All of the FIFA Master modules were invaluable, but as a lawyer, I would highlight particularly the humanities of sport and sport management modules. The humanities module opened my mind to how sport relates to society and politics, and vice versa. It helped me better understand the broader impact sport can have beyond the field of play. The business module was also particularly noteworthy. We explored various innovative ways sports organisations generate revenue, while constantly looking for new ways to engage audiences and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sports ecosystem.
Beyond the course itself, I found it invaluable to listen to and learn alongside my exceptional classmates from all over the world. We were twenty-six students from twenty-three different countries. You can only imagine the range of perspectives that came from such a diverse group. We constantly drew from our different experiences, engaging with and challenging each other in the interest of developing a more holistic understanding of the subjects we studied.
I believe that this diversity of opinions, cultures, and experiences has also helped me in my career so far, as it allows me to approach issues with a more open and global perspective, while being comfortable working with stakeholders from different backgrounds and regions.
What advice would you give to future students?
Build connections. Networking really works, especially with the FIFA Master alumni community we have. I was not one of the best networkers during the programme, but from personal experience I can say that it truly helps.
Knowing someone within an organisation, or someone in a strong position, can potentially open doors for you. The FIFA Master Alumni network is such a large and diverse community. Someone almost always knows someone who can help or point you in the right direction. Even when the person you need is not directly within the alumni network, chances are that someone in the community has a connection. The network spans so many regions and professional backgrounds, you are often able to get guidance or answers when you need them. I think it is really special. We are very privileged to have access to such a unique global network.
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 13 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in cooperation with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
"CIES, 30+ years of impacting how sport is managed worldwide" & "FIFA Master, 25+ years of Excellence in Sport Business Education"
