SANJEEVAN MAKING WAVES AS FIFA’S REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Sanjeevan making waves as FIFA’s regional director for Asia & Oceania
NOT many are aware that there is a Malaysian based at the home of world football – FIFA – in Zurich, Switzerland. The former The Star journalist is one of four regional directors for Asia & Oceania under the new FIFA administration last year. STARSPORT’S ERIC SAMUEL spoke to B. Sanjeevan of his journey to the pinnacle of world football administration.
STARSPORT: Where did you start and how did you make this dream of yours come true?
SANJEEVAN: The Star Publications (Star Media Group now) was my first job after my graduation. I’m from Kuala Lumpur. My alma mater is the St John’s Institution (SJI). I went on to do my degree in law (LL.B) in Wales. Upon graduating in 1994, I came back to Malaysia.
In September 1998, I took up a position at the The Star – initially with the Day & Night magazine. Shortly after, I moved to the business section and worked for the maritime section. In 1996, I won the German Press Award. I was sent to Germany for two months to learn German.
On my return, I was offered a position in the German Embassy as a trade adviser. I spent a few years there but, all along since 1995, I was very keen on joining football. StarSport: What was your first experience in football?
Sanjeevan: The first opening was at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). In May 2000, I was offered a position as an executive of Communication, PR and Legal Services. I worked my way up until I became the legal director in 2001. I spent about eight years in AFC (mostly as legal director).
In 2007, I took up a position with FIFPro – the World Players Union. I was charged by the general secretary of FIFPro Asia and Oceania Division, based in Melbourne, to set up player unions. All the professionals – including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – are members of their respective professional football associations.
I was in charge of setting up a Player Union. In Malaysia, I was the architect behind the setting up of the Professional Football Association of Malaysia (PFAM) a few years ago. Later on in Indonesia and India. It is a new concept having a Players Union but I’m glad to say that in the two to three years, we set up three or four Players Unions.
After that I decided to branch out on my own. In 2010, I set up my own independent sports consultancy and my clients ranged from Olympic committees to FAs. I also assisted those who needed my expertise on legal matters and legal issues. I did it for two to three years (until in June 2013).
I then re-joined AFC, but in a different role – as Director of Member Associations (MA) Development and also Integrity in Sports.
I set up the first Integrity In Sports Unit to fight match fixing in AFC in 2013. During that time, I also set up the Stadia & Security Unit as we created a lot of development activities to strengthen the relationship between AFC and their 47 members.
StarSport: How did you land your dream job with FIFA?
Sanjeevan: In 2016, with the new FIFA reforms, there was a position for Regional Director for Asia & Oceania. I underwent the interview process and got to the job. I was appointed as one of the four regional directors for Asia & Oceania – overlooking more than 57 countries.
FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura and president Gianni Infantino share a similar outlook when it comes to football – which is inclusiveness and diversity. It is part of a new vision of FIFA to make everyone play football – to promote the game. So, it was easy for me to uproot and move to Zurich because I share the same philosophy – that is to bring football to the masses.
StarSport: What does this appointment mean to you and tell us your job scope?
Sanjeevan: I feel honoured being an Asian in the upper echelon of FIFA’s administration, representing Asia-Oceania on a global scale.
I’m one of the four regional directors hailing from the region he represents. We are at the forefront delivering the “FIFA Forward Development Programme”, which was launched at the FIFA Congress in Mexico City last year.
So, what has happened is that we have a created a newer and better system to develop tailor-made projects to our 209 Member Associations (MAs). We are aware of the geo-political and cultural sensitivities and sensibilities.
This enables FIFA to deliver proper tailor-made projects that are key to football development from the grassroots to elite level.
We have to make sure that the projects are well structured to develop the game in every country. It is exciting to help in this development.
But it never feels like a job – it is a passion and I’m really honoured. It is also a privilege to be able to work in football. Every day, I’m thankful for that.
StarSport: Do you have any football playing background?
Sanjeevan: I was a never a good player – never good enough. I only played socially and was not even good enough to play for my school. For me get into football ... I probably got in through the window or the basement and worked my way up.
StarSport: How have you handled yourself, so far. Are you enjoying this new role?
Sanjeevan: One of my greatest highlights was just a few months ago at the FIFA Congress in Bahrain, where we had a FIFA All Stars friendly competition. Each Confederation was represented as well as a FIFA Team and a Bahrain Team.
I was lucky enough to be chosen by the Oceania Football Confederation to play. My teammates were David Trezeguet, Dario Simic and an ex-Kiwi player. We played against Diego Maradona, Cafu and Carlos Valderrama in the first game.
The second game was against the Bahrain All Stars Team led by Pablo Aimar. The final game was against CAF, who had Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
So, you can imagine the quality. But it was fun and in good spirits. Tackling Maradona, even at this age, is still not an easy thing to do. Cafu and Valderrama may be well into their 50s but they still looked fit.
To play against my idols and share the same changing room with Trezeguet was amazing. That’s why I say it is a privilege. This is also part of the FIFA president’s inclusiveness and diversity. The key role is just not football but we have FIFA Legends programme. The other key aspect is developing women’s football.
StarSport: What are the challenges you face in this job?
Sanjeevan: I think the biggest challenge is preparing and assisting the MAs to come up with proper projects for the development of their football, including long-term projects to achieve their goals.
StarSport: Being put in charge of 57 countries, does your job require you to travel?
Sanjeevan: Yes. I have to handle more than 15 time zones – all the way from Beirut in the west to Tahiti and French Polynesian in the east. It is a privilege and a great honour for me as a Malaysian to be recognised and to work in this place. I have dedicated the last 17 years of my life to football.