Wondering how to find a career that reflects your passion?
Typically when it comes to finding a career in sports, there is a dream to play for the country. And this is all that most people think there is to a career in sports. But let's first bust the myth. This is just a small fraction of all the people involved in the sports industry. There are a group of people involved behind the scenes. People who run the show from the back-end - from organising matches, monitoring team finances, negotiating contacts of athletes to managing the key aspects related to the business and governance of sports at all levels. Not to forget the broadcasters and the writers who bring the game to the forefront for people across the globe. And the analysis part of the game. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, there are many roles that one can take to be a part of the sports industry.
With a growth rate of 12 per cent year-on-year, sports is now called the Sunrise industry in industry dialect. Interestingly, FICCI's vision document estimates that there will be a requirement of human resources of 43.3 lakhs across the sports sector by 2022. India as a nation has become a hotspot for sports fest and sports leagues, thus giving the sports as a career option a great scope of prosperity. The sporting calendar of India is now filled with different leagues like Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, Pro Kabaddi, Premier Badminton League, etc. These leagues have increased awareness and enthusiasm about sports. Not only that, but a huge amount of money, name, fame, glamour and media attention has also caught the attention of the masses.
If you are in the final days of your school or college and looking forward to a career in sports. You are at just the right place. To start with, let's have a look at the skills required in this field:
Skill Sets required:
Commitment: towards the profession and the game as a whole.
Must be physically fit: This is a basic requirement in this field
Team spirit is vital: You must work as a unit.
Excellent communication skills: more verbal than written.
Must have a zest to do better.
How do I get there?
One can start by getting training under the Sports Authority of India facilities spread across the nation. The sooner one starts his/her training, the better. For a student recently passing out of school or college, the time is just right for pursuing your sporting dream. Here are the various courses offered by different institutes in India:
Bachelor's Degree Course:
Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.)
B.Sc. in Sports Science and Nutrition
B.Sc. in Physical Education and Sports Science
BBA in Sports Management
BA in Sports Management
B.Sc. in Sports Science
Master's Degree Course:
Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.)
M.Sc. in Sports Science
M.Sc. in Physical Education and Sports Science
MBA in Sports Management
M.Sc. in Sports Science and Nutrition
MBA in Sports Business
PG Diploma Courses:
PG Diploma in Sports Medicine
PG Diploma in Sports Science and Nutrition
PG Diploma in Sports Coaching
PG Diploma in Sports Journalism
PGDM in Sports Business
PGDM in Sports Management
Job prospects for a career in sports:
The sports field offers the following opportunities depending on the individual's interest and the field that one aspires to join as a professional:
Sports Management: students can go for sports management for a career on the business side of the industry. It involves managing sportspersons, revenue generation, sports marketing, media relations, etc. For more information like career scope, best colleges, average salary, and it's future in India:
Sports Photographer: students interested in photography can go for a career in sports photography. There is a great demand for sports events and the events need to be captured for live telecasting or for future reference. For more information like career scope, best colleges, average salary and it's future in India:
Sports Journalism: students who are interested in presenting the latest updates of different sports and the athlete's lifestyle through various forms of the media should go for a career in sports journalism. For more information like career prospects, best colleges, average salary, future in India and the challenges involved:
Sports Medicine: students interested in the medical side of the game should go for a career in sports medicine. For more information like skills required, best colleges, average salary and it's future in India:
Sports Commentator: students with good communication skills and a love for sports should go for a career in sports commentator. They are the ones who describe the events live. For more information like roles and responsibilities, best colleges, career and salary prospects, and it's future in India:
Sports Writer: students who are passionate about writing and have an inclination towards sports should go for a career in sports writing. For more information like career prospects, employment opportunities, best colleges, average salary and it's future in India:
Sports coach: students who are good in a particular sport and can help train people in that field should go for a career in sports coaching. For more information like skills required, roles and responsibilities, best colleges, average salary, and career prospects in India:
Sportsperson: students who think they have what it takes for a career as a sportsperson should go for a career in this field. For more information like skills required, how to become, must-read books, and the pros and cons associated with it:
Sports Umpire or Referee: students who are mentally strong and can look after that the game is played in a fair manner can go for a career as a sports Umpire or a referee. For more information like duties, how to become, top colleges, salary prospects and it's future in India:
Sports Analyst: students who always have an eye for fine details and are good with numbers should go for a career in sports analytics. Here are the skills required, roles and responsibilities, how to become, salary prospects, and it's future in India:
Sports Engineer: students possessing technical skills to design innovative sports equipment should go for a career in sports engineering. For more information like skills required, different specializations, best colleges, salary prospects, and it's future in India:
