Costa Rica: UCR/FIFA/CIES International Programme in Sports Management celebrates its 18th intake

Thirty-one graduates from five countries in Central America, North America and Europe have completed a year-long course in sports management.

The graduation ceremony for the 18th cohort of the UCR/FIFA/CIES International  Programme brought together thirty-one participants from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy and Mexico. It marked the culmination of a year of study focused on developing skills in key areas of sports management, including finance, law, communication, management, marketing, sponsorship and event management.

Organised in collaboration with the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), the Programme offers an educational approach that combines online courses with face-to-face sessions. This format enables participants to acquire the knowledge and tools essential for sports management, whilst fostering the exchange of experiences, the sharing of best practice and the development of an international professional network.

The ceremony was attended by Carlos Araya Leandro, Rector of UCR; José Moncada Jiménez, Vice-Rector for Research; Judith Jiménez Díaz, Director of the UCR’s Escuela de Educación Física y Deportes, Gustavo Araya Carvajal, General Secretary of the Costa Rican Football Federation; Francisco Rubio, CIES Scientific Coordinator, and Isaura Castillo Hernández, General Coordinator of the UCR/FIFA/CIES International Network Programme. They were delighted to accompany the graduates at this important stage in their academic and professional careers.

Following official speeches, Salvatore Ruggiero from Italy, spoke on behalf of his cohort to reflect on his experience as a student on the UCR/FIFA/CIES Programme.

CIES and UCR extend their warmest congratulations to the new graduates: Adrián Felipe, Alejandro José, Alejandro José, Allan, Allan Rolando, Christian Andrés, Daniel Emilio, Esteban José, Fabricio, Indira, Jonathan Alberto, Jorge, Jorge Antonio, José Alberto, José David, José Luis, José Roberto, Luis Alfredo, Luis Fernando, María Laura, Mariana, Melissa, Nicole María, Nidian Sthephany, Oscar Mario, Paola Tatiana, Roberto, Ronald, Salvatore, Sergio Ignacio and Vladimir.

We would also like to thank the excellent team and lecturers at the University of Costa Rica for their commitment to our common project: Isaura, Yamileth, Margarita, Paola, Mario, Alfredo, Blanca, Peggy, Maripaz, Diego and Francisco.