sports as a carrer

 

A career in sports – Sweat, grit and immense discipline ! 

Gone are the days when sports were traditionally considered as a hobby, especially in India, is now being considered as a serious career option. In India, sports is still a flourishing industry, but if you’re under the impression that career in sports is all about fame and glamour, there is a flip-side to it. There is grit, perseverance and immense discipline that is required to be eligible for various international level pursuits. Sports today is no longer about a game on the field it is also about the popularity and the pride it brings.  This confluence has turned athletes into sports stars and has sparked a need to skillfully manage both the players and the game. 

Even if you’re not an athlete but still passionate about sports, it is still possible for you to pursue your interest as a profession. 

Importance of Sports as a career in India

In India, it is natural for a parent or a student to think twice before taking up sports as a career. This is mainly because of the perceived uncertainty that a sportsperson has to constantly battle with in their lives. Parents want their children to choose a more tangible profession that guarantees a job and a sustained growth over a period of time. This concern, many times create and undue pressure on the child to bank upon on Plan B – purely in academic background, so that he/she can have an alternative to rely on. Worse is, making your primary interest itself into a plan-B and eventually let go! 

 It comes with the notion that sports is a high-risk career. Apart from risks of injury, competitiveness, and instability, there are many other factors which make the parents averse to this field, especially in India. This includes lack of apathy within the governing body, infrastructure, lack of experienced coaches etc. 

Indian professional badminton player, Saina Nehwal talks about how difficult it is to be a sports person in India.

Then and Now – Changing the landscape of Indian Sports.

Comparing the Indian sports industry 10 years ago with the current scenario, there is a remarkable difference. Earlier, Cricket was considered as a dominant professional career but recently many other sports have started to pick up the pace. Many national and international level leagues are being formed, thus providing athletes an opportunity to get in the forefront of their respective sports. 

Even the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi believes that sports can now be considered as a serious career option. 

This transition is fueling up big private giants, who have started contributing immensely towards the culture of sports in India. They do so by participating in corporate social responsibility channels, PPP in sports infrastructure development and for profit in sports academies. Various sports leagues have now emerged as a primary vehicle for the private sector.

Sports analysts play a very important role in presenting and explaining sports to the audiences. They are the professionals who provide an expert discussion of sports-related topics before, during, or after a sporting event. They are usually former athletes who have participated in the sport and have good knowledge about the same. As a sports analyst, you need to pay close attention to game outcomes, player stats, win-loss records and other statistical information.  Your job will be to make authoritative assessments and predictions based on statistical models.