Alumni/ February 26, 2025/

Developing the football program in the central region of Palestine

Please introduce yourself briefly.
Taymaa Qatamesh, the 10th batch Palestinian student, a former national team footballer, and currently a coach and technical director.

What did you do before DTM, and what did you pursue after the DTM Program?
Before DTM, I worked as a football coach in an academy and participated in projects that focused on sports development in marginalized areas of Palestine. After completing the DTM program, I took on a consultancy role, overseeing football programs in the central region of Palestine.

What are the most valuable skills or insights you gained during your time at DTM?
DTM is like a treasure chest of scientific, practical, and life experiences—the more you explore it, the more knowledge you gain. I particularly valued learning about sports event management and negotiation strategies. These skills have significantly boosted my confidence in these areas.

Please explain the football program in the central region of Palestine that you supervised.
I work with an NGO that runs programs in marginalized areas of Palestine, particularly in refugee camps and villages. As a consultant for the central region of the West Bank, I oversee programs in three cities: Ramallah, Jericho, and the Jerusalem district. I manage and supervise 20 clubs, which include 40 coaches from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and mentalities.

Was there a specific experience, course, or project at DTM that directly influenced your approach to managing sports programs?
Yes, the hands-on experiences at DTM had a major impact on my approach. Volunteering at the Asia Pacific Masters Games 2023 was particularly influential. As part of our team thesis, we conducted field research at the event, which allowed us to analyze how mega-sporting events are managed. This exposure gave me a deeper understanding of event logistics, stakeholder coordination, and program development, which I now apply to my work.

Can you describe how you’ve applied the skills learned at DTM to the football program in the central region of Palestine?
I have always been passionate about the intersection of history, development, and sports events and their role in national progress. My goal is to leverage global best practices to help develop sports programs in Palestine. While I know I cannot change the entire situation alone, I strive to enhance the program I work with, creating a positive impact on the ground. Marginalized areas need support, recognition, and hope for a better future, and I am committed to contributing to that vision.

Were there any challenges in implementing these skills or ideas, and how did you address them?
Organizing a sports event requires resources, and in these areas, securing the necessary tools is a major challenge. However, DTM taught us how to successfully execute events even with minimal resources while still achieving the desired goals.

Can you share a specific success story or improvement that came about as a result of applying what you learned?
One key lesson I learned at DTM was the importance of gender equality in sports. In a small Palestinian village with a population of about 2,000, the Israeli occupation severely restricts expansion and movement, as the village is located along a border road adjacent to occupied Palestinian cities we cannot access. Given these challenges, introducing a sports program to this community was a significant achievement. The village council not only welcomed our NGO’s initiative but also agreed to establish both a boys’ and a girls’ team under the PACES program. Seeing these children participate in sports despite the hardships they face is, to me, a true success story.

How has your journey at DTM and your work on the football program contributed to your personal growth as a sports professional?
DTM reshaped my understanding of professionalism in sports. The program emphasized the importance of integrity, strategic planning, and ethical decision-making—values I now apply to my work. Since returning to Palestine, I have been committed to upholding high professional standards, ensuring that the communities I serve receive quality sports programs and development opportunities.

What are your goals for the program moving forward, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Our 2025 plan is almost finalized, and we have made significant improvements to the program structure. My main goal for the upcoming year is to enhance the technical skills of both players and coaches, as their growth will directly contribute to the program’s overall success. To achieve this, we are implementing new training methodologies, increasing coaching education opportunities, and expanding community engagement initiatives.

By DTM Office