Akordy Abingya
Middle River
Summary
Adaptable professional with extensive experience in international sports development. Recognized for strong negotiation abilities and strategic thinking, contributing to successful tournament planning and execution while building lasting relationships in the youth sports ecosystem.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Founder
Accra Cup
Accra
09.2024 - Current
- Co-founded and led the strategic development of the Accra Cup as an international youth football tournament platform
- Designed the tournament structure, competition format, and long-term growth strategy
- Secured local and international partnerships with academies, clubs, federations, and service providers, enhancing tournament visibility and participation
- Led sponsorship acquisition efforts, negotiating corporate partnerships and brand collaborations
- Oversaw event planning and execution, including logistics, venue coordination, team registrations, and operations
- Developed international recruitment pipelines, attracting diverse teams from Africa, Europe, and North America to expand tournament reach
- Built relationships with scouts, agents, and football stakeholders to create exposure opportunities for players
- Directed marketing and brand positioning initiatives, establishing Accra Cup as a recognized leader in youth football tournaments
- Managed budgeting, financial planning, and revenue streams including sponsorships, team fees, and merchandising
- Coordinated cross-functional teams, consultants, and volunteers to ensure seamless tournament delivery
- Represented the Accra Cup at industry events, stakeholder meetings, and international forums
- Implemented impact initiatives, including pathways for scholarships and international football opportunities
International Relations Manager
East Legon Football Academy
Accra
01.2022 - Current
- Revenue Generation & Sponsorships: Secured corporate partnerships and jersey sponsorships through strategic cold-calling and networking, consistently exceeding quarterly revenue targets.
- Player Enrollment & Pipeline Management: Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for youth athletes, converting trialists and inquiries into long-term academy memberships via professional consultations with parents.
- Strategic Community Outreach: Act as the primary brand ambassador, establishing key partnerships with local schools and grassroots organizations to increase academy visibility and lead generation.
- Data-Driven CRM Administration: Maintain detailed records of all prospective and current clients using CRM software, utilizing data to track conversion rates and optimize the sales funnel for seasonal programs.
- Collaborative Marketing Execution: Coordinate with the media and technical teams to develop persuasive promotional content and "Success Story" campaigns that highlight the club’s professional placement record.
Business Development Manager
Elevate Global Consult
Accra
07.2020 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership and set the long-term vision for Elevate Global Consult across Africa, Europe, and North America
- Lead the planning and execution of international sports events, recruitment camps, and football tournaments
- Develop global talent identification and player pathway programs connecting athletes to clubs and educational institutions
- Secured corporate sponsorships and strategic partnerships, enhancing revenue growth and ensuring financial sustainability
- Negotiate high-value commercial agreements and international collaborations
- Build and manage cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact sports development initiatives
- Strengthened brand positioning and expanded international footprint, increasing visibility and engagement across target markets
Director of Business Development
Dallas Texans Football Academy
Accra
01.2011 - Current
- Led strategic commercial growth and revenue generation initiatives for the academy
- Secured corporate sponsorships and strategic partnerships, driving revenue growth
- Negotiated commercial agreements, ensuring financial sustainability for the academy
- Developed new revenue streams through camps, tournaments, and international collaborations
- Built and maintained strong relationships with sponsors, clubs, educational institutions, and community partners
- Aligned business development strategies with long-term football development goals, supporting overall mission
- Increased sponsorship revenue, program enrollment, and brand visibility through strategic planning and market analysis
Regional Agent
Dana Cup
Hjørring
10.2009 - Current
- Developed and executed regional growth strategies, resulting in increased international tournament participation
- Generated revenue through team recruitment and achievement of performance-based targets
- Identified and secured strategic partnerships with leagues, academies, and travel providers to enhance regional engagement
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with club directors, coaches, federations, and football stakeholders
- Recruited youth football clubs, academies, and schools across Africa and North America to participate in Dana Cup
- Managed team onboarding, registration guidance, and tournament coordination support
- Represented Dana Cup at regional tournaments, showcases, and industry events
- Provided market intelligence and regional performance reports to tournament leadership
- Ensured high retention rates by delivering strong stakeholder communication and engagement
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing And Communication
University College South Denmark
Haderslev-Denmark02-2017
Associate of Applied Science - Social Entrepreneusrship
UCL Erhvervsakademi Og Professionshøjskole
Odense-Denmark 12-2012
Skills
- Sales negotiation
- Relationship management
- Project management
- Experience using CRM systems (HubSpot/Salseforce/Zoho) and managing sales pipelines
- Customer service orientation
- Brand representation
- Youth soccer knowledge
- Adaptability and willingness to travel internationally and work flexible hours during events
- Ability to work independently in remote environments with high self-motivation
- Problem-solving skills
- Genuine passion for soccer and global sports experiences
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Danish
Limited
Accomplishments
Secured $3.8million in sports scholarships for students play sports and pursue their education in North America.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Co-Founder
Accra Cup
09.2024 - Current
International Relations Manager
East Legon Football Academy
01.2022 - Current
Business Development Manager
Elevate Global Consult
07.2020 - Current
Director of Business Development
Dallas Texans Football Academy
01.2011 - Current
Regional Agent
Dana Cup
10.2009 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Marketing And Communication
University College South Denmark
Associate of Applied Science - Social Entrepreneusrship
UCL Erhvervsakademi Og Professionshøjskole