Right to Dream’s Post

Unless you have been living under a rock these past couple of weeks days, you are likely aware of the current and, to put it mildly, disgraceful controversy surrounding the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales. During the trophy ceremony after Spain's historic World Cup win, Rubiales was caught on video forcing an unwanted kiss on one of the star female players on the Spanish team. In a previous post, I chose to focus solely on congratulating the Spanish team and praising their achievement. This was a team that overcame many difficulties and obstacles over the last few years, both on and off the field, to finally capture the World Cup trophy. However, as a Spaniard, and simply as a decent human being who believes in treating all people with respect, I need to share some thoughts on Rubiales's deplorable actions. What Rubiales did, no matter his position of authority, was unequivocally wrong on many levels. Forcing any unwanted kiss or touch on someone, let alone on live TV in front of millions, is unacceptable. Doing this to one of the hard-working athletes whose incredible talent brought glory to the whole country, makes it even more disgraceful, especially given his position of authority. His actions go against principles of equality, respect, and dignity that as a society we must continue striving for, especially given the significant progress that has been made in most areas of Spanish society over the last couple of decades. While we celebrate Spain's well-deserved World Cup victory, we cannot ignore or excuse what Rubiales did. His behaviour sets a damaging example, particularly for young people looking up to figures like him. If organisations like the Spanish Football Federation are to regain the public's trust, there need to be consequences and a commitment to do better in promoting gender equity going forward. This may require, among others things, a complete change of leadership. #seacabo

I will talk about WE League (Women Empowerment League, the first professional women's football (soccer ) league in Japan) in the WSI seminar. https://lnkd.in/gdfAXGRM

💫🎉Publication Day 📚🤩 I'm thrilled to announce that my 2️⃣nd book is now available via Bloomsbury Publishing. 🏀#BasketballEmpire 🌍🌎 1️⃣3️⃣2️⃣ years after its birth, basketball is in the midst of a global takeover led by–but not exclusive to–the #NBA...and France plays a role. Why does this story hinge on 🇺🇲➕colonial legacies w/francophone 🌍& Afro-Caribbean? Why since 1️⃣9️⃣9️⃣7️⃣are there so many 🇫🇷🏀 players in #NBA & #WNBA? 👉what is that experience like? 👉what has it meant for the leagues and players? 👉what is the role of #NCAA in this equation? Go behind the scenes w/the women & men who from 1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ ➡ 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣have followed their passion to create a basketball breeding ground. 🎯How do these first-hand accounts unpack what #sportsdiplomacy can can look like? 🎯In what ways has 🇫🇷🏀helped the game’s global relevance? Uncover the transatlantic networks & complex 🇫🇷🇺🇲 relations that nurtured a mutual exchange of culture, technical skill & knowledge for at its essence, sports are a connection point, the thing that translates from country to country as in #BasketballEmpire & FranceAndUS 🌍🌎That’s why #BasketballEmpire is about something deeper than just scoring baskets 🏀 💪This is the story of what its like to have sports as part of your culture → as well as what it is like to better know yourself, your abilities, and your capabilities thanks to an overseas experience Order your copy today 👉 https://bit.ly/47R5g06 Interested in doing an event? Let's talk! 🇫🇷🇺🇲I

It’s time for our next European Continental event called "CONIFA Football Strategy Days" scheduled on days 17 - 19th November 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. CONIFA Europe is working for accommodation, local visits, place for organizational meetings, official guide, for our Members. We are evaluating some football leaders/operators for sponsorships marketing and communication for our meetings. We will treat topics as: referee, media, sponsorship/marketing, potential leagues in Europe to affiliate towards CONIFA, football for Men's, Women's and Disabled, WWFC Bodo 2024, WFC Kurdistan 2024 and EFC2026 and more… The words of Alberto Rischio, Confederation of Independent Football Associations President Europe : “After organizational success the European Qualifiers for the Men's World Cup in Kurdistan 2024, CONIFA wants to celebrate the good work by bringing the FSD event to Barcelona, after Sabbioneta, Italy in 2022. Catalonia is the land with the scene of football. There will be training courses for managers for sponsorship, communication, referees, football leagues and topics as the upcoming Men's WFC in Asia and Women's WFC in Europe in 2024 and the Men's EURO 2026. We are growing and we have to be ready for future challenges. We are waiting for you!” More information will distribute in the next days. #footballforpeace, #soeveryonecanplay, #inclusion, #diversity, #equality, #humanity, #sustainability, #conifa, #WWFC2024, #WFC2024, #sponsorship, #opportunities, #barcelona, #cataluña

How can sponsors continue to encourage equity in women’s sport? On Sunday, the Women’s World Cup concluded, breaking records worldwide as the most attended, viewed and sponsored women’s World Cup in history. There were several firsts for representation, including the first player to wear a hijab (Nouhaila Benzina), the first player to identify as trans and non-binary (Quinn), and the first Arab women's team (Morocco). It’s clear that out-dated, dismissive attitudes about gender are being challenged and women’s football is finally being recognised as a top-tier competitive sport. But as progress continues to be made, who is at risk of getting left behind?   Notable conversations during the World Cup have demonstrated the importance of intersectionality and equity, particularly with commentary on the inclusion of the Global South. Both South Africa and Jamaica nearly didn’t make the World Cup due to financing issues. Whilst they had the skill, they didn’t have the investment. This is a key opportunity for sponsors to help create equitable change. For Jamaica, the contributions of Cedella Marley, daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley, were crucial for supporting Jamaica’s team (Reggae Girlz) – enabling them to become the first Caribbean team to advance to the round of 16 in World Cup history. Read more about Jamaica’s bumpy journey to the Women’s World Cup: https://bit.ly/3OOcvgL #EquityDiversityandInclusion #WomensWorldCup #EDI #EquityIs #UniquelyUnilever #Diversity #Inclusion

𝐖𝐡𝐲 are the United States so far behind the likes of Argentina, Brazil, and Spain as footballing (yes, I will be referring to the sport as it’s correct name in this post) nations❓🇺🇸 < 🇦🇷🇧🇷🇪🇸 Well, there are THREE points in this post to explain why we are so far behind, and how to eventually progress to catching up.📈 1. Football in the U.S. has traditionally taken a backseat to other sports and only in recent years has it seen significant growth and investment, lagging behind many nations in their footballing development. ⚽️ 2. 2007 is when the U.S. set in place the first pathway program for our youth football academies (the USSDA, which has since dissolved). Meanwhile, Argentina has had successful youth academies dating back to the 1930s, Brazil has had youth academies nurturing talent like Pelé in the 1950s, and Spain has had the likes of FC Barcelona’s La Masia established in 1979, which has birthed the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi. So, for only having a skeletal youth pathway for coming up on 20 years, we still have many more to approach the length of establishment that other nations have achieved. 🧒 3. Great, so now I’ve told you what’s wrong, let me tell you what needs to happen for the United States to be able to eventually put up a fight on the international scale.🌎 • Significant investment in youth development and grassroots programs to cut down the 40+ year late start. • Improving coaching education. • Strengthening domestic professional pathways (MLS, USL, promotion & relegation, etc.). • Encourage player exposure and experience in top leagues around the world. • Implementing a strategic focus for the national team under new management. • And the hardest of them all, PROMOTING, CREATING, and SUPPORTING FOOTBALL CULTURE TO ALL AMERICANS. ⚽️❤️🇺🇸 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬 & 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 Parker Hulet.

In the past year, the African continent stood tall in terms of international sports performances from the Rugby World Cup Paris 2023, FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the World Athletics Championship in Budapest to mention a few. The great performances of African athletes in these competitions have not only brought a positive image and pride to the continent, but also financial benefits in terms of increased visibility, tourism and investment opportunities to the continent. Therefore, this calls for all actors in the field of sports, particularly national governments, that are primary funders of sports, not to see sports as a cost, but a long-term investment that can play an important role in shaping the future of the African continent.

#African Basketball at #Paris 2024: Changing the Narrative #ManyattaTalks As the Paris 2024 Olympics unfold, African basketball is not just participating but making a significant impact, reshaping perceptions and narratives around the sport. This year has seen remarkable performances that highlight the growing prowess and potential of African teams on the global stage. #Nigeria's Triumph in Women's Basketball One of the standout moments was Nigeria's women's basketball team, sponsored by @UgoUdueze's #AFASports, an African sportswear brand made in Nigeria. The team achieved a historic victory against Australia, demonstrating skill, determination, and the increasing competitiveness of African basketball. This win is a testament to the quality and potential of African talent, and it showcases the importance of investing in and supporting homegrown initiatives. #SouthSudan's Proud Performance South Sudan, despite a narrow loss by one point to the eventual winners of the Paris 2024 Basketball Olympics, displayed immense pride and tenacity. Their performance was not just about the final score but about the spirit and heart they brought to the game. South Sudan's journey in the tournament has inspired many and highlighted the nation's rapid rise in the basketball world. The Future of #NBA Africa While these successes are encouraging, there are still challenges to be addressed, particularly in the structure and support of African basketball leagues. The collaboration between NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has faced criticism for not effectively engaging fans and for struggling with financial viability. According to a report by the Japan Times, "NBA’s Africa league struggles to find fans as it faces mounting losses." This suggests that the current model, which often features older, veteran players, is not resonating with the younger audience or providing the competitive environment needed to foster new talent. The Need for a Holistic Approach The NBA's presence in Africa, through NBA Africa, should be re-evaluated to adopt a more holistic approach. The current collaboration with BAL appears more like a marketing tool rather than a genuine development platform for African basketball. The league’s tendency to feature older players, sometimes even those well past their prime, undermines the growth and competitiveness of the sport in the region. Additionally, the economic model supporting these initiatives is unsustainable. The bankruptcy of #KweseTV, which was once a major broadcaster for African sports, is a clear indicator of the financial difficulties faced in this sector. The recent success of Nigeria's women's team and South Sudan's inspiring performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics are clear indicators of the potential that lies within African basketball.

To our national heroes: I just watched another compelling interview with Siya following the World Rugby Awards. Throughout this World Cup, I've often pondered why sports, especially rugby, hold such significance for South Africans. I believe it's because our national sports teams represent one of the few genuine entities we have left. There's no pretense, no staged tackles, and no AI enhancements. Watching a game offers a glimpse of raw honesty, integrity, and passion, with players prioritising their nation over their own wellbeing. When you pair that with Siya's sportsmanship, humility, and leadership, and fuse it with Rassie's insight and wisdom, you get something truly inspiring. When you see the team on the field from all backgrounds, races and cultures working together for a common goal it provides a beacon of hope and a role model for our children. It presents a quality often missing in the daily lives of South Africans, kindling hope that our nation can once again be world-class, led by individuals who prioritize humility, integrity, and the greater good. To every player on and off the field, and support staff and everyone else that in even the smallest way made the team work, at the end of the day they only put "South Africa" on the trophy, but your contribution will echo in eternity. From the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you for living your values and giving South Africans something to aspire to. To every leader reading this: stay real, embody humility, maintain your integrity, and always place your responsibilities and duties above personal interests. #springboks #leadership

Day #8: How are recent trends and developments around diversity in sports ownership reshaping the landscape of sports? Considering here the Romanian market that I work in, there is almost nothing to discuss about. Probably over 90% of the professional sport teams are owned by the municipality so basically the remaining 10% is shared between shady investors, a few businessmen with a strong background and a couple of ex athletes who try to do something. I see potential in some places and I really hope that foreign concerns will come and start developing the sports teams as we see them abroad. Also it would be interesting to have business women investing in the emerging markets of women football or basketball, even the well established handball league! #linkedinsportschallenge #linkedinsports #sportsbusiness #sportsindustry