Careers in Sports

Career in sports has emerged as one of the most lucrative options in India. Although cricket is considered second to none in India, in terms of its popularity, there still exist people who have developed inclination towards other forms of sports as well, predominantly football and hockey. Looking at the tremendous success in the recent Commonwealth Games and other major international sporting events, some unconventional games like wrestling, lawn tennis, badminton, and shooting, have made sports as one of the chosen career options in India. More and more academies are coming up, dedicated specially to impart training in different types of sporting activities. In India, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is the apex body that is bestowed with the responsibility of encouraging young talent to develop interest in sports and excel in their chosen sporting activities. Government and private academies functioning under SAI provide formal training in various sporting activities, to create sportspersons who can bring laurels to the country at national and international levels.

Course Details
A number of institutes in India provide training in sports. Aspirants with amazing sporting abilities can join these institutes, after completing their 10+2 level, in undergraduate, diploma, and certificate programs. After graduation, they can enroll in one-year PG diploma or two-year master’s degree program in sports coaching in the following disciplines - athletics, basketball, football, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, volleyball, wrestling, and weightlifting, and master’s degree course in physical education in recognized sports events. Candidates with MBBS degree can take up a two-year diploma course in Sports Medicine (DSM). Some institutes offer higher level courses, like M.Phil and PhD for deserving candidates.

Career Prospects
Sports have opened up many career opportunities for young talents in India. After acquiring training in various sports academies, one can opt for building a career as a sportsperson and play at state-level first and then explore opportunities at national and international levels. Apart from serving as a player, an experienced sportsperson can also work as a coach, team manager, fitness instructor, umpire/referee, sports journalist/sports commentator, sports photographer, sports equipment supplier/manufacturer, and consultant.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
There are several academies and institutes under Sports Authority of India (SAI) that impart training to young students to transform them into talented sportspersons. Some prominent sports institutes in India are: Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior; Lakshmibai National College for Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram; MRF Pace Foundation, Chennai; Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur; National Cricket Academy, Bangalore; Gujarat University, Ahmedabad; National Sports East Centre, Kolkata; Adarsh College of Physical Education, Osmanabad; Amity School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Noida; Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala; Bhupathi Tennis Academy, Bangalore; and Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, New Delhi.

Remuneration
The remuneration of sportspersons totally depends on the sporting activity chosen. In this vigorous and spirited field, what matters is not merely the number of years of experience in the field, but also the capability of the sportsperson to deliver excellent performance consistently.