Can Isha Johansen succeed Sepp Blatter as new FIFA chief?

New Delhi: Sepp Blatter's resignation as the FIFA chief amid mounting corruption scandal has triggered speculations over his successor. Most of the names which are doing the rounds in the media are of male contenders. However, Isha Johansen, who is one of the two women in the world to head a national football association, has also shown keen interest to be at the helm of FIFA.

Johansen, currently the president of the Sierra Leone Football Association, has showed interest in becoming the next FIFA chief in an interview to international media. "Why not? If the time is right. It's a learning process. I have learned so much in the years that I've been in football,” Johansen told CNN.

However, she is unlikely to contest the upcoming FIFA election. "In the two years I've been president (of Sierra Leone Football Association), I've met all kinds of individuals and characters. Yes, it would be wonderful wouldn't it (about being FIFA president) - but I might decide to do something else,” she added.

But during the interview she gave a hint that she might contest elections for the FIFA executive committee (ExCo), which might also take place soon. "Yes, if I've earned it. If people feel that it's right for me to be there and if I've got the right approach and if I'm up to it.”

Brief profile of Isha Johansen

Isha Johansen was born as Isha Tejan-Cole in Freetown and was raised in a religious muslim family.

Johansen is one of only two women in the world to head a national football association, along with Lydia Nsekera, the president of the Burundi football association.

Johansen is a member of the Tejan-Cole family and is married to a Norwegian Arne Birger Johansen, whose last name she has adopted.

Johansen is also the owner and CEO of Sierra Leone National Premier League club FC Johansen.

She was elected president of the Sierra Leone Football Association unopposed on 3 August 2013, after her main opponent, former Sierra Leone international footballer Mohamed Kallon, was disqualified by the Sierra Leone Football Executive committee for not meeting the SLFA residency requirement in the country.

Isha Johansen founded her own football club FC Johansen in 2004. The club started with the objective of giving hope to a group of young footballers, using sport as a means of channelling their energy into a positive healthy direction.