Brave Gladiators captain Lovisa Mulunga successfully graduated from the inaugural FIFA Players Executive Programme, a global initiative designed to prepare current and former players and coaches for leadership roles beyond their playing careers.
The programme reflects FIFA’s commitment to supporting players throughout their careers and beyond. Speaking on the initiative, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said:
“The FIFA Players Executive Programme is going to support players become leaders off the pitch. We want to support players across their life, not just when they are out on the pitch. They have provided us with joy and entertainment throughout their playing career and it is our goal to support them also achieve in their second or third careers.” (Inside FIFA)
The programme provides participants with valuable insights into football governance, business management, leadership, finance, personal identity and decision-making while connecting them with some of the world’s leading football executives and industry experts.
Reflecting on her achievement, Mulunga said her decision to apply stemmed from a desire to understand the game beyond her responsibilities as a player and captain.
“I recently completed the FIFA Players Executive Programme. This inaugural programme was introduced by FIFA to prepare players and coaches for life beyond football.
I showed interest and applied for the programme because I wanted to be equipped with the knowledge and skills beyond the pitch. I have the understanding of captaincy roles and what goes on on the pitch, but I wanted to understand football beyond just the football ground. How is football managed? What are the financial implications of decisions made by football clubs and associations? What entails good governance? What does personal identity mean to an athlete?
I wanted those questions answered and to gain a broader understanding of the topic.
I was able to have those questions answered by football experts and people who run some of the biggest clubs around the world, and that was exactly what I wanted to get out of this programme.
The programme has given me valuable insights into different topics, from business governance to personal identity. I was able to understand football governance from an executive standpoint.
I hope to apply everything I’ve learned within the Namibian sporting fraternity and mentor young and upcoming footballers.”
Mulunga’s graduation is a significant milestone for Namibian football and highlights the value of continuous learning and leadership development. By completing the FIFA Players Executive Programme, she joins a growing network of footballers from around the world who are preparing to shape the future of the game beyond their playing careers, while inspiring the next generation of Namibian