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In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with The Punch (https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4xV7KqX<\/a>), Nigeria\u2019s most widely read newspaper, Former FIFA Secretary General and ACG Advisory Board member Fatma Samoura makes the case that Nigeria has everything it takes to become Africa\u2019s sport and entertainment hub, calls for a fundamental shift away from the standalone stadium model, and argues that the continent\u2019s sporting talent and the economic value it generates must stay on African soil.<\/p>\n Ms Samoura, who served as FIFA Secretary General from 2016 to 2023, the first woman and first African to hold the position, addresses the infrastructure gap holding back Africa\u2019s sport economy, explains her decision to join the Advisory Board of African Collaborations Group (ACG) (www.ACGafrica.com<\/a>), and outlines why integrated sport and entertainment districts represent the future of sport infrastructure on the continent.<\/p>\n Key excerpts from the interview:<\/strong><\/p>\n On ACG\u2019s model:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhat I find interesting about ACG is that it looks beyond the traditional stadium model, towards sport and entertainment districts that work all year round, combining sport with hospitality, entertainment, retail, training and community facilities.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n On Nigeria\u2019s potential:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNigeria could become a regional hub for major competitions, entertainment productions and talent development.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n On Africa\u2019s talent drain:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAfrica\u2019s sporting talent is world class, but the infrastructure to develop, retain and fully benefit from that talent is still largely absent.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n On the role of the private sector:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe real question is how to turn that potential into bankable projects, quality jobs and long-term value for Nigerians.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Ms Samoura’s appointment to the ACG Advisory Board was announced earlier this month (https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4Ah7PH8<\/a>). African Collaborations Group (ACG) is a strategic project origination platform focused on the industrialisation of sport in Africa. ACG originates bankable sport and entertainment districts by convening governments, development finance institutions, investors, and sport stakeholders around integrated, financially self-sustaining projects designed to operate 365 days a year. ACG’s model originated within the FIFA Task Force for Infrastructure Development in Africa, an initiative Ms Samoura established during her tenure as Secretary General.<\/p>\n The full interview is available on The Punch\u2019s platforms:<\/p>\n Website (60 million monthly page views<\/strong>):\u00a0https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4cL3gdP<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook (5 million followers):\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4xyr9wY<\/a><\/p>\n X (6.9 million followers):\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4cHZ9ze<\/a><\/p>\n LinkedIn (212,000 followers):\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4hpBbeL<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n