A success story in South Africa

Sharif Gamiet, an alumnus of the FIFA/CIES Programme in sport management organised in cooperation with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, has just been appointed General Manager of the Eastern Province Rugby Union in South Africa.

“The roof of my house nearly came down on us”, exclaimed Sharif when he received news of his very flattering appointment.

Sharif, who has a wealth of experience in the field of sport management, graduated cum laude in September 2013 and took up his new duties on March 1st.

His key objectives are now to strengthen and improve the level of management in the amateur sector. He believes that this will allow significant development for players and for rugby in general: “Efficient administration will help our organisation to improve the game at all levels: school rugby, women’s rugby, sevens rugby, refereeing and coaching.”

Moreover, Sharif considers that the NMMU/FIFA/CIES Programme allowed him to acquire holistic training in sport management, which he will need now to meet his new responsibilities within the Eastern Province Rugby Union.

As he puts it: “All the aspects of the Programme - from strategic management to financial issues - contributed to my recent professional success!”

Sharif boasts a long career in sport, both as an administrator and as an athlete. He played field hockey, volleyball and of course rugby, but was also a swimmer.

Thanks to his managerial experience and technical knowledge, he had the opportunity to attend the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. He is also a member of many sports organisations and has been involved in several prestigious events, in particular the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the All Africa Games in 1999 and the Men’s World Softball Championships in 2000.