FIFA MASTER ALUMNI - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - FABIO FIGUEIRAS

Fábio Figueiras

Current Position: Assistant Manager, KPMG AG / Vice-President Panathlon Lisbon, International NGO

Year of graduation: 2021 (21st Edition)

Nationality: Portuguese

What does your current role involve?

Away from my role at KPMG, I am also  currently involved with an international Sports NGO based in Italy called Panathlon International, where I have been nominated to join their Expansion Committee. In this role I support the organisation in expanding its outreach to different countries and continents, and collaborate on several European sports projects, mostly related to integrity topics.

In addition to this, I am the Vice-President of the Panathlon Club of Lisbon (PCL), a sports NGO based in Lisbon, Portugal, affiliated with Panathlon International. As Vice-President of PCLI, I oversee the organization of an international congress, called Ética Summit, which has had two editions so far and attracted more than 4,000 participants from various Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guiné-Bissau, Moçambique, Portugal, and São Tomé e Príncipe, for example.

Finally, I am the President of the Disciplinary Committee of the Portuguese Amateur Wrestling Federation, an Olympic sports Federation, and a board member of a Swiss Korfball Club based in Zürich.

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

It is no surprise that the FIFA Master course covers a vast array of topics, which contribute to an enhanced learning experience. Many of these topics are very practical, enabling the exploration of different  case studies and their potential implementations.

Additionally, the comprehensive network of more than 600 Alumni is incredibly valuable, especially for sharing experiences and discussing topics where real added value can be gained. For example, the mentoring system for FIFA Master  students allows current edition candidates  to benefit from the knowledge, support and experience of  alumni who either work or have worked in the sports industry. The alumni possess a comprehensive understanding of key topics, and offer valuable insights and strategies for navigating  the global sports industry in the best possible way.

Finally, completing the FIFA Master  expanded my knowledge and my experience in various areas of sport beyond just sports law, which is my primary background. The course was  an enriching and interesting experience.

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

Be curious and embrace all  of the new learning and knowledge  which comes as a result of your studies on  the FIFA Master course. Treat it  as a unique opportunity to delve into a sports programme with a legacy of nearly 25  years standing and which has a supportive alumni network of over 600 members. Enjoy the experience of sharing time with different colleagues from different nationalities and backgrounds, and take  advantage of the travel opportunities and study visits provided.

Throughout the FIFA Master course, be prepared to bring your experiences to any discussion and challenge topics that are being analysed and presented. Elaborate on and leverage your past experiences whenever you can.  Also, share these experiences, where appropriate, so that everyone can benefit from them in class.  In summary, make the best out of your participation on the FIFA Master course!

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked  Europe's No.1 course a record 11 times by SportBusiness.

Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).