FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Liliya Borislavova Borisova
Liliya Borislavova Borisova
Current positions: Innovation and Digitalization Manager at the Bulgarian Basketball Federation - Basketball Expert for Sportradar|Synergy Sports - Technical Delegate for EuroLeague - Freelancer in Sports Management
Year of graduation: 2017 (17th Edition)
Nationality: Bulgarian
What does your current role involve?
In my current role for Bulgarian Basketball, I have the chance to somehow finally apply the full scope of disciplines the FIFA Master curriculum covers, as the position of the Innovation and Digitalization Manager which was introduced in the organization only last year, requires to constantly evaluate the ongoing processes and operations, adopt best practices and suggest improvements, optimizations, and capacity building across all departments in a direction to transform the organization into a modern, united and well-governed one.
To put that hat on, I actively participated in strategic planning for 2024-2027, which is now under implementation, with some key deliverables overseen by me. The role is challenging as it involves changing mindsets and facing local cultural specificities, but it is worthy as it feeds ‘my thirst’ for change, and a brighter future for the sport in the country, and leverage too. In parallel, I continue to do freelance work in other sports, and organizations (local and international – FIBA, EuroLeague, NBA), events and projects, where my roles cover the multi-dimensional spectrum of sport management, and everything from events, strategic planning, consulting, digital presence to public speaking and more.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
I joined the FIFA Master after already building a successful professional path in the market which I am now part of. When I joined the programme, therefore, I was already happy with where I was in my career. I was not chasing new opportunities or looking for a change on the professional front as I knew that I would be going back home after my studies were completed. So, I will approach the question here by sharing what I took back home when we said ‘goodbye’ in Neuchâtel in July 2017 after graduation. The FIFA Master changed me as a person. It made me more humble, it made me more tolerant, less judgmental and the journey only ignited further my existing hunger for knowledge and personal growth. I joined for the knowledge and the academics, altered my perspective on the way by living the FIFA Master experience and benefitting from the constant working outside of my comfort zone. I graduated the same, but also a different person, and only recognized later the full potential and power of the FIFA Master alumni network.
I also learnt not to always be the leader but sometimes to follow, to not have the final word, but to listen more and not to be the outstanding one in a room full of equally outstanding personalities, is my biggest win.
What advice would you give to future students?
Be authentic and do not try to fit in. Do not be afraid to stand out! Be curious, ask questions! As our Final Project tutor Dr Kevin Tallec Marston would say, ‘it is about the process, not the result’. Guess what – he was right! Do not compete, as the FIFA Master is not a race. It is a marathon. Take but give back, learn and share. Do not waste a single second of the days in this year long experience of new knowledge, gaining expertise, relationships, energy exchange and the moments to just get together with the people around you and get to know more about who you are and where you are coming from!
The FIFA Master is not just an academic programme. It is much more. A Journey, reality checker, challenge and a global sports gateway.
And do not worry about jobs, career and what is next! Do not force it! It will come. I have witnessed it with my classmates. They are all exactly where they desire to be. Sometimes you need to take a few steps back before the leap. Be patient.
Finally, do not disappear from the FIFA Master or the FMA alumni community after you finish. Stay in touch, be around and join the community! We all belong!
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 13 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in cooperation with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
"CIES, 30 years of impacting how sport is managed worldwide" & "FIFA Master, 25 years of Excellence in Sport Business Education"
