FIFA MASTER ALUMNI - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - MAHMOUD QARAQRA

Mahmoud Qaraqra

Current Position: Player Welfare and Safeguarding Manager at Al Jazira Club (UAE) and Match Commissioner at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Year of graduation: 2020 (20th edition)

Nationality: Palestinian

What does your current role involve?

In my role as Player Welfare and Safeguarding Manager at Al Jazira Club, I am dedicated to ensuring the holistic well-being of our players. My responsibilities span from creating a safe and nurturing environment to implementing welfare policies that prioritize mental, emotional and physical health. By fostering an atmosphere of trust and support, I work to safeguard the players' interests, helping them to thrive both on and off the field. My goal is to ensure that our players have the necessary support systems to reach their full potential, and to empower them to voice their concerns in a setting that values their growth as individuals as well as players.

In parallel to this, my role as a Match Commissioner for the Asian Football Confederation allows me to engage with football on a broader scale. I oversee the adherence to match regulations, ensuring fair play and integrity are upheld in every game. This position requires a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the sport's regulatory framework. It's a role that not only taps into my passion for football but also charges me with the responsibility to maintain the sport's spirit, facilitating smooth operations and addressing any issues that arise, ensuring that the beautiful game is enjoyed by all, untainted and true to its core.

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

In essence, the FIFA Master course equipped me with more than just knowledge. It gave me a compass to navigate the multifaceted world of my career with confidence and a readiness to turn every challenge into an opportunity for success.

The heart of my FIFA Master journey was learning to engage with complex problems from fresh angles, to dismantle my preconceived ideas and reconstruct them with a critical eye. It was about becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, and in doing so, I have honed the kind of critical thinking skills that I believe are the lifeblood of a thriving career.

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

If I could share a piece of advice with future FIFA Master students, it would be to let your curiosity lead the way and immerse yourself in the rich diversity of thoughts and experiences your peers bring to the table. It’s not just about learning from the classes, but also growing through the insights, opportunities and different opinions your classmates present.

Nurture a mindset that’s both open and questioning. It's about having the courage to delve deep into discussions and the humility to acknowledge what you don't know. If something sparks your curiosity or if there’s a concept you’re grappling with, seek out your professors, engage with your peers and reach out to the guest speakers you will meet during your studies. Your voice matters and your questions often lead to shared insights that benefit everyone.

Lastly, remember that the FIFA Master family isn’t just a network, it's a community of support and shared passion. The give-and-take of assistance isn't just a courtesy, it's the foundation of meaningful connections that will transcend the confines of the course. The bonds you form are invaluable and often these relationships become lifelong treasures. That’s the true essence of learning and succeeding—by doing it together.

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked  Europe's No.1 course a record 11 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).