FIFA General Secretary
Senegal
Fatma had spent 21 years working on high level United Nations (UN) programmes when she was chosen as FIFA’s Secretary General in May 2016. As the first Muslim African woman to hold the position of FIFA Secretary General, Samoura is a trailblazer for diversity and gender equality. Since her appointment, the number of women employed at FIFA has increased across the board, including in senior management roles. She also played an integral part in the success of the record-breaking FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and this summer will oversee the eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
| What is your favourite sport? | Football |
| What drives you? | The unifying factor of the game and the human values it promotes |
| What was your defining moment to get to where you are now? | Listening, learning, showing humility and respecting diversity |
| What is your first sporting memory? | My best was the day the Senegal team defeated France in its first match of the FWC 2002 |
| Who is your inspirational woman in sport? | The French Triple Olympic Champion Marie-jose Perec |
| Why is sport important? | It is a universal language, builds bridges between nations and is a healthy way of life |