Sabine Hazboun, a graduate of Johan Cruyff Institute‘s Master in Sport Business and Programme Support Officer at the Olympic Refuge Foundation, reflects on her academic experience
Born in Palestine, Sabine Hazboun enjoyed a successful career as an Olympic athlete, which led her to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Her journey began with a scholarship that allowed her to train at CAR Sant Cugat. After settling in Barcelona, she completed the Master in Sport Business Online with support from the Cruyff Athlete Fund.
Following her graduation, Sabine continued her professional career at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Aquatics, the International Swimming Federation. She now serves as Programme Support Officer at the Olympic Refuge Foundation.
In this interview, Sabine shares her experience in the Master in Sport Business Online and how it equipped her with the skills to lead projects that create a positive impact in vulnerable communities.
How did your experience as an Olympic athlete influence your decision to pursue an academic education in sports management?
Studies have always been very important to me. Alongside my athletic career, I knew I had to consider my professional future—what I wanted to do after retiring. As a swimmer, I was aware that the day would come when I could no longer compete.
I’ve always been a student first and an athlete second, or at least that’s how I felt. Initially, I didn’t want to study something related to sports because I wanted to step away from that world for a while. Training seven hours a day made me crave a mental break. That’s why, before pursuing a Master in Sport Business, I studied translation and interpretation, as I’ve always loved languages. At the same time, I knew I wanted to study in an international environment.
However, after that academic experience, I realized I wanted to return to sports. Competing in the Olympics and dedicating my life to sport left a lasting impression on me. That’s why I decided to enroll in the Master in Sport Business Online five years ago. The program gave me a strong foundation and taught me all the dimensions of sports and project management.
Photo by: Yuriy Ogarkov.
How did your academic experience at Johan Cruyff Institute help you tackle challenges in your professional career?
It was a very positive experience because it provided a solid foundation. From there, it’s up to each individual to align it with their interests and goals—whether that’s event organization, marketing, or, in my case, developing programs with social impact. It also equips you with management tools, such as how to start a gym from scratch.
I have great memories of my time in the Master in Sport Business Online because it was tailored to my interests and schedule. That adaptability was one of the aspects I appreciated most, especially as an athlete with a highly structured routine.
In your professional career, you’ve worked in both national and multicultural contexts. What skills from the master’s program were key to navigating these environments?
If I had to summarize, I’d say everything. The master’s provides a foundation you can apply wherever your interests lie. But to be more specific, the case studies were particularly valuable. They’re based on real-world scenarios and are adapted to the current context of sports, which made them incredibly relevant.
In a multicultural setting, the interaction with other students was also crucial. Being an international program, I had classmates from all over the world, each with unique backgrounds. Many were athletes, mostly football players, so it was a new environment for me. Working in groups and hearing about their experiences was incredibly enriching. I also appreciated learning from students who were older or had different perspectives.
How did your experiences with the International Olympic Committee complement your academic training at Johan Cruyff Institute?
Sabine Hazboun at FINA World Championships.
I’d say it was the practical application of working with groups. When I started working, I felt prepared because it was like putting what I’d learned into practice. Even though it was my first time in an international work environment after completing my master’s, it didn’t feel entirely new.
Before diving into sports management, I thought to myself: I’m an athlete, and I speak six languages, but I lacked specialized knowledge to excel in a specific field. Many people gain experience and knowledge on the job, but I felt the master’s was a bridge between those stages. It also deepened my relationship with sports. Even though I’d been an athlete my entire life, I hadn’t fully explored the other side of the industry.
What advice would you give to Johan Cruyff Institute students who want to combine a passion for sports with creating a positive social impact?
I’d recommend taking the case studies as seriously as possible. Ask every question and clarify every doubt. This is the perfect time to do that because once you’re working eight hours a day, there’s little room for reflection. As a student, there are no silly questions.
I’d also suggest finding a professional who inspires you—someone whose work or career you admire. If you’re passionate about social impact, seek out people who are already making a difference and learn from them.
On the other hand, if you’re unsure about your future, that’s okay too. Explore multiple options, try different things, and then decide. When it comes to social impact, think about what you want to change. Sometimes it’s about fixing something that isn’t working, and other times it’s about improving what already exists. There are many ways to create change, so take the time to reflect, analyze the context, and determine the best approach.
