NYC’s new mayor brings global sports passion to City Hallsignaling inclusive vision of mayoral leadership
A Ugandan Boy’s Love Affair With London
When Zohran Mamdani takes office as New York City mayor, he brings with him a passion that defines him perhaps as much as his democratic socialist politics: he is a die-hard Arsenal Football Club supporter. Born in Uganda in 1991, Mamdani developed his love for Arsenal in the early 2000s, inspired by his uncle who introduced him to the club during its “Invincibles” era under manager Arsène Wenger. For a young Ugandan watching African players represent a major European club, Arsenal’s multicultural squad held profound meaning. His authentic fandomdocumented through years of social media posts, knowledge of obscure players, emotional investment in outcomesindicates something important about his leadership style.
