The WFS Awards: The gala that kicks off the future of football

Ahmed Abdul Ghaffar is the Executive Director of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, bringing over two decades of experience from the Royal Bahraini Navy and extensive involvement in sports administration. He is a graduate of the Naval University for Postgraduate Studies (USA) and has served as Secretary of the Bahrain Swimming Federation and Director of Bahrain’s delegation to the Asian Games.

Chris Gerstle is the Director of Strategy and Development at European Leagues, the organization representing professional football leagues across Europe. He is responsible for supporting member development, commercial strategy, and fostering competitive balance within European football

Esteban González is the 3×3 Digital Content Senior Manager at FIBA, responsible for leading the digital, content, and social media strategy for 3×3 Basketball globally. With more than 10 years of experience in sports media, he oversees content planning and execution for major events including the FIBA 3×3 World Tour and the Olympic Games, focusing on audience engagement and innovative storytelling to grow the sport’s international fanbase

Karla Hernández Valdez is the Gerente de Innovación – Estrategia Comercial at the Federación Mexicana de Futbol, where she leads innovation and commercial strategy initiatives. She previously held roles in tech governance and has a background in business management.

Tomasz Kowalczyk is Head of Innovation at the Polish Football Association, where he leads the Innovation Hub, driving collaborations with startups and technology partners to advance sportstech, digital solutions, and sustainability across Polish football. With over a decade of experience in innovation management, he also works as an Innovation Designer at Rebels Valley and is recognized for fostering ecosystems that connect sport, business, and technology

Stuart Sharp is the head coach of the U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy National Team and Senior Technical Director of the Extended National Team Program, leading the team to its highest-ever world ranking and multiple international medals. Previously, he managed the Scottish CP National Team and has been recognized for his contributions to disability football development in both the U.S. and Scotland.

Mohamed Soltan is an Egyptian American human rights advocate and former political prisoner who co-founded and leads the Freedom Initiative, a U.S.-based organization advocating for political prisoners in the Middle East. He is recognized internationally for his activism and efforts to advance democracy and human rights.