March 8 – On International Women’s Day (Friday March 8) FIFA.com has published interviews with the four candidates who at the FIFA Congress in Mauritius in May will stand for election to the FIFA Executive Committee.
This will be the first time that a woman has been elected on to FIFA’s Executive Committee. The four candidates have been nominated by their confederations with only UEFA and CONMEBOL not putting forward candidates for the new women’s position.
Burundi Football Association President Lydia Nsekera has served as interim post-holder since being co-opted on to the committee in 2012.
Nsekera is CAF’s nominee for the position and will be running against AFC candidate Moya Dodd of Australia, CONCACAF candidate Sonia Bien-Aime of the Turks & Caicos Islands and OFC candidate Paula Kearns of New Zealand.
The FIFA.com interviews give an insight in to the candidates and their backgrounds. Each candidate was asked the same questions.
To read the full interviews, follow the links below:
AFC Moya Dodd: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/news/newsid=2026352/index.html
CAF Lydia Nsekera: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/news/newsid=2026343/index.html
CONCACAF Sonia Bien-Aime: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/news/newsid=2026367/index.html
OFC Paula Kearns: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/bodies/news/newsid=2026360/index.html
Below are excerpts from each candidate’s interview:
Moya Dodd
If you were elected, how would you see your role?
Whoever takes this seat must work effectively with FIFA by being a persuasive advocate for women in football. Importantly, she should have a role in connecting the women’s football community around the world. As well as being a leader in women’s football, she must also contribute to the game more generally. Executive Committee members typically serve on committees where they have special skills. I am currently on the FIFA and AFC Legal Committees, and I would hope to continue making a contribution beyond the women’s game (just as I hope the male Executive Committee members would continue to feel responsibility for the women’s game).
What is your vision for women’s football?
My vision is for accelerated football development so that every girl and woman can understand and play football and gain the immeasurable benefits that it brings. To provide elite pathways to professionalism, so that the best players can be visible role models and play in commercially sustainable pro leagues and international tournaments around the world; and participation of women in the decision-making bodies in football at all levels and across all areas of the game.
To me, women’s football is a pure, fresh and spontaneous form of football to watch. We see very little simulation or referee abuse, and plenty of good examples of respect and sporting spirit. There are more goals and less cards. Women’s football can help create a freshened, positive image for football globally. One day, football should be as usual for women and girls as it is for men and boys.
Lydia Nsekera
If you were elected, how would you see your role?
At Executive Committee level, as someone who is a woman and a mother bringing up her children, I would suggest some ideas for developing women’s football – particularly at grassroots level. Outside of the Executive Committee, I would try to convince the presidents of the member associations to develop women’s football and to give women decision-making powers and support.
What is your vision for women’s football?
Women’s football must develop in the same way as the men’s game and in all areas such as refereeing, training, administration, governance, players’ status and marketing. At the same time, any flaws like cheating must be avoided in the women’s game.
Sonia Bien-Aime
If you were elected, how would you see your role?
Partly to listen, consult and deliberate with my fellow members on the issues of the day. In addition, to craft and bring new ideas to the table to make a positive contribution to FIFA. Although the candidacy is limited to females, it is not only a female perspective they seek, but knowledge and insight from females who are active in the administration of football and who can give a voice to certain issues.
What is your vision for women’s football?
That no female should be denied the opportunity to play football because it is viewed by some for whatever reason as inappropriate. That all member associations are given the encouragement, education and expertise to enable them to organise and enter the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying competition by 2023.
Paula Kearns
If you were elected, how would you see your role?
If I were elected I would see my role as being the global advocate for women’s football and the voice for women’s football on the Executive Committee. I would make myself fully available to support confederations and national federations to drive the growth of women’s football and overcome challenges. I would work closely with FIFA staff to ensure there is a clear strategy for the growth of women’s football that is being achieved. Additionally I would expect to fully contribute and add value as a member of the Executive Committee to football board matters.
What is your vision for women’s football?
My vision for women’s football is that the opportunity to learn and play football is offered to every girl in the world and that women’s football continues to grow and strengthens our sport and our communities.
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