Heidi Pihlaja dedicated the closing words of the World Cup studio to Erkki Alaja. Alaja, who died in July, firmly believed in the development of women’s football. According to Pihlaja, the World Cup proved that Alaja was right.
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The FIFA World Cup came to an end on Sunday when Spain’s women won the World Cup.
Worked as Urheilu’s expert at the games Heidi Pihlaja had the honor of saying the closing words of the last World Cup studio of the summer, which he dedicated to the soccer and sports influencer who died on July 21 Erkki to Alaja.
– Whenever women’s games were shown on television, Eki used to send a message that “yes, gyms are doing well and gyms have a future”. I hope that Eki has enjoyed these games somewhere on the edge of a cloud. Now, with these games, it is even more possible to say that Eki is right: “the future is in gyms,” said Pihlaja.
Heidi Pihlaja works as the development manager of the Finnish Football Association, her area of responsibility is women’s and girls’ football. Attendance records were broken at the World Championships and the competition at the international top is more even than ever.
Alaja played a significant role in the commercial development of both the men’s and women’s national football teams.
– In my mind, Erkki remains the greatest sportsman. An absolutely amazing and encouraging person, rest in peace Erkki, Urheilu’s expert Essi Sainio mourned on the MM studio’s broadcast in July, when the news of Alaja’s passing had come out.
– The first thing that comes to mind about Erki is his big heart. Shocking news, huge condolences to all loved ones, Tuija Hyyrynen continued.
Alaja got the year 2018 At the sports gala Taustavoima award for his exceptionally significant work for Finnish sports.
Alaja worked, among other things, as CEO of HJK and chairman of AC Alliance. He also worked as a sports manager in a big role for well-known athletes such as Arto Bryggaren, Raitanen’s top, Mikael Forssell and Riikka Lehtonen in the background.
He wrote several books on sports marketing and sponsorship, as well as biographies such as Aulis Rytkönen Monsieur Magic (2009) and Mikael Forssell’s One More Goal (2007).