Nigeria’s Ruth David is one of 35 participants selected globally for the second edition of FIFA’s Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP) starting at the Home of FIFA, Zurich, Switzerland on Monday.
David, the Head of Women’s Football Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation was picked alongside 34 others from over 80 applicants put forward by member associations of FIFA across the globe. She will arrive in Zurich on Sunday.
The FLDP is part of FIFA’s portfolio of women’s football development programmes for the period 2015-2018. A crucial part of the recent reforms approved at the Extraordinary Congress of FIFA in February this year is the inclusion of women in leadership positions in football.
Launched in 2015 to ensure that there are female role models and women at decision –making levels in football, the FLDP aims to identify, support and develop strong female leaders in sport, while advocating for women to access senior decision –making positions globally.
The programme runs over nine months and takes participants through workshops and extensive fieldwork, with a mentor and a leadership coach supporting them along the way. Participants will take part in practical sessions such as leadership styles and influencing others. At its Congress in Mexico City last month, FIFA announced the creation of a dedicated Women’s Football Division.
Ruth David, who previously worked as team administrator of the Senior Women National Football Team, Super Falcons, and as Head of the Federation Cup Unit, holds a first degree in business administration and a master’s degree in sports management from Bayero University, Kano.
