Do you harbour inherent passion for sports? Are you always seen fiddling with a ball or a bat or a racket? If yes, then don’t let your inherent passion die an untimely death, rather make it your profession by exploring career opportunities in the field. Sports can be a very rewarding career for young enthusiasts, as the field is gaining importance as a serious career option. The recent successes of Indian sports-persons in the international arena together with the intervention of corporate in the Indian sports scene have made it a lucrative career field. Sports as a career come with many benefits. It keeps you agile while endowing you with money and fame.
Courses
Sports Authority of India offers various training programs. A number of institutes and academies operate under SAI offering training programs to young talents to nurture their potentials. Besides, different state level and private organizations also train the sport enthusiasts.
To pursue career in sports you will have to pass your 12th board exam and opt for a diploma, or undergrad program. Following which you can go for a post graduation or research study in sports. Generally, admissions are done on the merit basis which is determined by the qualifying examination. For a diploma in Sports Medicine, one has to complete his/her MBBS.
Some of the popular diploma courses in sports include Diploma in Sports Medicine, in Sports Coaching, in Sports Management and in Sports Science & Nutrition.
Undergraduate courses vary from B.Sc in Physical Education, Health Education and Sports Sciences, Bachelor of Physical education, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sports Management, B.Sc (Hons) in Sports Science, B.Sc in Sports and Recreation Management to Bachelor of Sports Management (BSM) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Sports Management.
Those opting for post-graduation can choose from Master of Physical education, M.Sc in Sports Coaching, Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine, Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Business, MBA in Sports Management, Master of Sports Management (MSM) and M.Sc in Sports Science.
Doctoral Degree Courses are Ph.D in Physical Education, M.Phill in Physical Education or Ph.D in Sports Management.
Colleges/Institutes for Sports Management
1 Alagappa University – Tamil Nadu
2 Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science – New Delhi
3 Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management – West Bengal
4 University of Technology and Management – Meghalaya
5 International Institute of Sports Management – Maharashtra
6 National Academy of Sports Management – Maharashtra
7 Centurion University of Technology and Management – Orissa
Other Colleges in India offer study in Sports
1. National Institute of Sports, Patiala
2. Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior
3. Lakshmibai National College for Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram
4. Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur
5. National Cricket Academy, Bangalore
6. Delhi University
Job Opportunities
An aspiring young professional can explore career opportunities in sport marketing, coaching, athletic administration, sports medicine, sport promotion, sport psychology, sports journalism and so on.
Opportunities lie in both private and public sectors. The Government of India and Indian Army often recruit youths with excellent sporting talents. Entrepreneurship and freelancing are other options.
Salary in the sports sector starts from 20,000 INR per month for a fresher. However, with experience one can earn handsomely.