Aila Ahonen, president of the European Association for Sport Management (EASM), has joined the ACG Advisory Board of African Collaborations Group, the group said in a press release.
The ACG Advisory Board advises the company as it develops what it calls sport and entertainment districts across Africa. ACG was founded by Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, who is also the founder of APO Group, the firm that distributed the statement.
Who is Aila Ahonen?
Ahonen is principal lecturer and team leader for sport business at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland, according to ACG. EASM, which she leads, brings together academics and practitioners from nearly 40 countries and publishes the European Sport Management Quarterly.
What will the ACG Advisory Board do?
ACG says the board gives strategic guidance as it structures large district projects with governments, development finance institutions and investors. Pompigne-Mognard said the appointment gives ACG access to researchers across nearly 40 countries.
No project, site or financing has been announced. ACG’s claim that Africa’s sport economy could reach $20bn by 2035 is the company’s own projection and was not independently verified. The founder has argued elsewhere that Africa’s stadium model has failed.
FAQ
Who has joined the ACG Advisory Board?
Aila Ahonen, president of the European Association for Sport Management, according to ACG.
What is African Collaborations Group?
ACG describes itself as a project origination platform for sport and entertainment districts in Africa. It has not announced a completed project.
Is the ACG Advisory Board appointment linked to a funded project?
The release does not say so. It describes an advisory role only.
