Rodrigo Mendes is FIF7’s new President
Rodrigo Mendes, former Brazilian professional athlete and idol of major football clubs in Brazil, Japan and the United Arab Emirates is the new president of the Federation Internationale Fooball 7 (FIF7). The new leader of the sport’s largest international organization will replace the Uruguayan Fabian Canaveris, who remains in the organization occupying the position of director of South America.
Rodrigo will take office as new president on February 20th during an event in Orlando,Florida (USA). He has been acting as an athlete at the Brazilian football 7 national team and also as a sports consultant.. Next February he will be on the field for the last time in an official competition, defending Brazil in the Intercontinental Cup which will be played in Orlando (USA).
“I was invited during the World Cup in Rome to be a candidate for FIF7’s presidency and was surprised and motivated by the opportunity. The support from big countries, important people in international football 7 and especially from my family was decisive in accepting the challenge. The sport is growing a lot. This year we will have international competitions in 10 countries and there is the possibility that the calendar will still grow. I want to make my contribution, but we are a great team with specialists in their respective fields and also in the different continents. This team has a huge responsibility for 2020 and I'm sure it will be a very successful year for the sport” said the new president.
The current president of FIF7 also left a thank you message and wished the new president of the Federation good luck. “This period being in charge of FIF7 was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I believe that all of us who are on this director’s board have been able to fulfill our mission. We grew from 06 to 45 countries in less than three years and held 22 international sporting events in the period. Rodrigo is very passionate about the sport, a well-respected person in the area and will be able to continue with this legacy. He will have all the support and help of a very valuable team that is currently leading this wonderful project. He has all of our support. I wish him well and hope he enjoys this period which will certainly mark his personal and professional life in a very positive way” said Canaveris.
