FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Niren Mukherjee
Niren Mukherjee
Current Position: Head of South Asia, Asian Football Confederation
Year of graduation: 2011 (11th Edition)
Nationality: Malaysian
What does your current role involve?
After spending twelve years (and counting…), I am now into my sixth different role at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), currently as the Head of the South Asia Unit.
In my role I oversee and manage Development and Governance-related matters, whilst being the primary point of contact, for the seven Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Association (RA) that make up the South Asian region within the AFC. These MAs and the RA are: Bangladesh Football Federation, Bhutan Football Federation, All India Football Federation, Football Association of Maldives, All Nepal Football Association, Pakistan Football Federation, Football Federation of Sri Lanka, South Asian Football Federation.
Joining the AFC in 2014, I was initially part of the Competitions Division, where I had the opportunity to work in various AFC competitions (AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 included) as the Assistant General Coordinator. Furthermore, I've been directly involved in the organisation of several AFC conferences and in initiating and following through to completion publications such as the first-ever editions of the AFC Asian Cup Data Book (a compilation of match information of every game since the Asian Cup's inaugural edition in 1956), Professional League Handbook and the AFC Champions League Post-event Report.
My other roles in the AFC have been in the Planning & Strategy Department, where I was part of the core team that drew up the AFC's Vision & Mission, the AFC General Secretary's Office, a position I held for five years, and, most recently, as the Head of the Deputy General Secretary's (Member Associations) Office for four years.
My journey in the professional sporting setup started in 2006 where I spent four years working for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC); liaising with the different Member Associations, international professionals and with the sport’s world governing body - the International Cricket Council (ICC). Being the ACC Media Officer, I managed content on the official website and its various publications and during ACC international tournaments. I was privileged to work directly with the ICC at the 2008 ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup where I contributed as a reporter for their official website.
I began my career in 2005 in the world of advertising as a Copywriter, where I enjoyed my engagement with clients such as McDonald's and Telekom Malaysia, before moving into the world of sport.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
The People
From the alumni to lecturers to the universities’ coordination staff and industry professionals, and last but certainly not the least, my dearest classmates. Every one of them has an unparalleled passion for sport and the FIFA Master. This is a very high bar that you’re constantly inspired to reach and that inspiration is reignited every time I think of my time on the course or encounter anyone/everyone who has had contact with the FIFA Master. These instances are reminders of just how lucky we are to be a part of this colourful, international sporting world.
What advice would you give to future students?
Stay curious, practise humility, be brave and most importantly, be kind. Advice for life.
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"
