Behind the Scenes of Major Tournaments: Insights from Thejus Pushparaj on the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA Club World Cup

In this episode, David welcomes Thejus Pushparaj, the head of marketing and commercial events at Alwada FC, and shares his extensive experience in commercial and event management within the football industry. Tejas discusses his journey from an IT background to a pivotal role in sports marketing, highlighting key projects such as the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and the FIFA Club World Cup 2021-2022. Tejas emphasizes the importance of grassroots programs, fan engagement, and innovative strategies to enhance the club's commercial viability.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Career Path and Transition: The journey into the football industry often starts unexpectedly, with many individuals initially pursuing different fields before discovering their passion for sports management and marketing. Importance of Grassroots Programs: Developing grassroots programs is crucial for nurturing young talent and fostering a love for the sport. Event Management and Operational Excellence: Experience gained from managing large-scale events, such as the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, enhances operational efficiency and prepares teams to handle various challenges during events. Fan Engagement Strategies: Innovative fan engagement strategies, such as live raffle draws and interactive fan zones, can significantly enhance the matchday experience. Adapting to Technology and Commercialization: The integration of technology in sports is vital for enhancing fan engagement and generating revenue. Developing a dedicated platform for fans, rather than relying solely on social media. BEST MOMENTS "I started working on it, I understood that, you know, that's not my space. I changed my learning career and I made it into business." "There is more to sports than just 90 minutes on the field of play." "If you panic while you give the instruction, you're going to communicate this thing to the next person." "We cannot take something with a strategy or a mechanism that was done in the European League and just replicate it over here." "We are trying to build something similar. And that's why we are more engaged with school and grassroots programs over here."  TO CONNECT WITH THEJUS https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejuspushparaj/  OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chimbaza-/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessoffootballpodcast/ Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoffootball HOST BIO Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launch his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetize & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience.  Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/