FIFA MASTER ALUMNI - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - ZEINA HAMARSHA
Zeina Hamarsha
Current Position: FIFA Football Technology Standards Manager
Year of graduation: 2021 (21st edition)
Nationality: Jordanian
What does your current role involve?
I joined FIFA as a trainee in the Football Technology and Innovation Division (currently renamed as the FIFA Innovation Division) in 2021 as part of the FIFA Master trainee programme. Six months later I got offered a full-time position within the same team. It was a challenging moment as a non-European but with FIFA’s support and my technical background we managed to make it work.
In my current role as a Football Technology Standards Manager, I manage six different quality programmes which are related to Infrastructure Technologies. This includes Football Turf, Natural Playing Surfaces, Futsal Surfaces, Floodlights, Footballs and Football Goals. The aim is to standardise and develop these technologies and set a quality process and requirements that ensures safety, performance, consistency, durability and reliability of these technologies. We work together with stakeholders that represent manufactures, test institutes, research institutes and most importantly Member Associations to set and develop these technologies.
Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?
With a background in Civil Engineering and dealing with numbers most of the time, the Sports Law module was an eye-opening experience for me on dealing with contracts and legal matters. It was a good opportunity to learn the foundations of legal framework. However, I have to say that the biggest gain from the FIFA Master is the course alumni community. The network is so valuable, and you get to connect with people all around the world who can support you in understanding the industry in their particular region or help with contacting clubs and stadiums that we require in our day-to-day work. Also, dealing with different cultures and backgrounds during the course helped me understand how to communicate with people on solving issues and delivering tasks, plus you get to make lifetime friends too!
The experience of completing the FIFA Master was a pivotal point not only in my career, but also in my life too! The FIFA trainee programme I was able to begin after graduation from the Master provided me with a life changing opportunity. As a former national team player, FIFA is one of the best possible places to work in order to give back to the football community. However, as a non-European coming from Jordan, it seemed like an impossible place to reach. Therefore, I am very thankful for this opportunity.
What advice would you give to future students on the course?
Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it! Don’t let anyone doubt your capabilities because all of us have something to bring to the table and to the wider world of sports. Take the opportunity to build your network from your classmates, professors, guest speakers and the alumni network as this will be key to your future career.
FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 12 times by SportBusiness.
Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).
