I used to believe that sport was managed on the field… until I discovered that its future is shaped behind office doors.

That was where I learned that the law is just as important as the game itself, and that successful sports organizations are built on understanding regulations long before the opening whistle.

At a time when I was still recovering from the disappointment of losing my lifelong academic dream after graduation—and when I could never imagine myself as a government employee—my first professional opportunity came through the Directorate of Youth and Sports. It was never part of my plans.

Yet it became one of the most influential chapters in my professional life, reshaping the way I viewed management, leadership, and sport itself.

I had the opportunity to work in two completely different sectors, each leaving its own mark on my personality and professional development.

My journey began in the Sports Organizations Department.

For the first time, I realized that sport is far more than matches, championships, and medals. It is a complete system governed by laws, regulations, governance, and accountability. The field represents only a small part of the story. The larger part is written behind meeting tables and administrative offices. This position gave me a unique opportunity to review board meeting minutes of sports clubs, youth centers, and sports federations, follow administrative decisions, and observe how strategic decisions that shape the future of sport and youth are actually made.

It also allowed me to witness the supervisory role of the Directorate as the governmental authority responsible for overseeing sports organizations.

As time passed, I found myself dealing with issues that demanded not only experience, but also a thorough understanding of sports law and organizational regulations.

It was there that I received one of the most valuable pieces of advice in my entire career.

One of my senior colleagues, whom I still consider one of the finest experts in sports law, told me:

“Before you work in sport, read the law carefully. Understand the regulations. Only then should you begin your work.”

At first, it sounded like a simple recommendation. Years later, I realized it was one of the greatest professional lessons I have ever received. The law was no longer just articles written on paper. It became a framework for understanding organizations, interpreting decisions, solving problems, and providing sound professional advice.

Those years became a practical school where I learned from colleagues whose expertise in sports legislation and governance I deeply admired. They taught me that real expertise is not measured by years of service, but by your ability to understand the details that others overlook.

Between the lines of board meeting minutes and official decisions lie stories that rarely become public. While supervising elections or conducting administrative inspections, I discovered a completely different side of sport—one that spectators never see. The administrative arena is no less important than the playing field, and behind every decision are strategies every bit as sophisticated as those designed by coaches before a major match.

Later, I moved to a completely different experience within the General Administration of Sport, working in the Sport for All sector.

Everything changed.

I moved from regulations and governance to community programs, sports festivals, and initiatives serving people of all ages. I discovered that sport is not only about producing champions. It is also about building healthier, happier, and more connected communities. This experience became another practical school where I learned how sports events are planned, how community programs are managed, and how teamwork transforms ideas into tangible results. Every colleague taught me something different. Every event added a new experience. Every challenge became another lesson.

Looking back today, I realize that this stage gave me far more than a government job.

It gave me a completely different perspective on sport. I no longer see it merely as competitions and championships. I see it as an integrated system that begins with legislation, continues through management, and ultimately serves people.

Had I not lived this experience, I would never have understood that management is not simply a job—it is a responsibility.

Nor would I have understood that the law is not an obstacle; it is the foundation upon which successful institutions are built.

If there is one message I would leave from this chapter, it is this:

Never underestimate the value of your first job.

It may not be the destination you dreamed of, but it may become the experience that shapes the strongest version of yourself.

Study the law before practicing management. Understand the regulations before judging decisions. Knowledge is the first step toward leadership, and real expertise begins when you understand why a decision was made—not merely what the decision was.

Jobs may change the direction of our careers… but the lessons we learn along the way change who we become.

To be continued…