Political Economy of Football
Biography
Hicham held the position of Secretary General of the Confederation of African football from 2010 to 2017. He has worked across 4 continents and possesses a wealth of international managerial and strategic experience.
Parts of his duties at CAF were to implement the decisions of the General Assembly and Executive Committee, to improve the financial health of CAF and its audit processes and to manage all divisions within the administration. Hicham was in charge of the effective delivery of all CAF Competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as managing the General Assemblies, Annual Gala Dinners and any other events. Each year CAF holds about 800 matches in addition to development seminars and programs.
Hicham, together with a team of professionals at CAF, managed to sign a landmark marketing deal in June 2015 for CAF, allowing the African Confederation to net a minimum guarantee of one billion US Dollars for its competitions up to 2024, a large increase from the previous 8 years cycle valued at 150 million US Dollars.
Hicham also undertook relationship management with key commercial and institutional partners to promote CAF development and ensure African football member associations do benefit from greater resources to develop grassroots football.
Previous positions in football include being a Marketing Manager at the Asian Football Confederation from 2004 to 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.
Among other honors, he was awarded the U40 Sports Leader of the Year Award by Leaders in Sport in London in October 2015, following the recommendation and endorsement of current FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and selected among the 20 most influential Moroccan personalities in 2013 in Africa by Challenge, a Moroccan leading magazine specialized in economic affairs.
He will give FBA Candidates unique insights into how to manage the role of football and politics, as well as put the spotlight on Africa with regards to strategic internationalization into new territories.
Professional Career
MOROCCO 2026 BID COMMITTEE, Chief Executive Officer
HEA SPORTS MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING, Founder & Managing Director
CAF (Confederation Africaine de Football), Secretary General
AFC (Asian Football Confederation), Marketing Manager
Location
Tunisia
Languages
Arabic
French
English