He also holds a Pre-Masters Diploma in Project Management from a course he took in Paris, France at the Lille University of Science and Technology.

Over the years Ballan has worked with a number of footballing bodies in various capacities, specifically as a referee instructor, conducting many courses around the world.

Ballan also held a number of official posts in Qatari football such as the Vice Chairman of the Referees committee since 2007.

In 2009, he became the Deputy League Director for Sport and in the same year he also became the Chairman of the AFC Follow-up ACL Criteria Committee.

The league also acts as a place to develop young Qatari talent with the aim of improving the Qatar National Team.