Eleven winners of the FIFA/CIES University Network Prize from 2020, 2021 and 2022 visited Switzerland last week and had the opportunity to discover Neuchâtel, Lausanne and Zurich during four days full of surprises and emotions.
The recipients, who had previously taken part in the FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management in South Africa (Nelson Mandela University), the United Arab Emirates (Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi) and Egypt (Cairo University), arrived in Switzerland last Monday.
Upon arrival in Neuchâtel the group shared a welcome meal with the CIES President, Pierre Cornu and later presented a synthesis of their winning group projects (related to new technologies, eSports and volunteering) to the students of the 21st edition of the FIFA Master in the presence of CIES Director, Denis Oswald.
On Wednesday, the participants travelled to Lausanne to learn the basics of archery, take part in a friendly competition and also attend a talk by Tom Dielen, Secretary General of World Archery. This was followed by time to explore the Olympic Museum. The day then ended when CIES Secretary General, Vincent Schatzmann, welcomed the group to a popular area on the shores of Lake Geneva, which proved a welcome and refreshing getaway from the current hot weather.
After waking up early on Thursday morning, the winners went by bus to Zurich to visit the Home of Football and receive their diploma from Arsène Wenger, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development. This was an opportunity to exchange a few words on the role of the sports manager and also to take a few pictures with the iconic former manager of Arsenal Football Club. This final day continued with a stopover at the FIFA Museum and ended at the famous "Kreis 5" with a pleasant farewell meal.
Congratulations to all the recipients of the FIFA/CIES University Network Prize. We hope that your visit to Switzerland was an enriching experience and provided opportunities to build new lifelong friendships.
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