By Ranjan K Baruah
Getting a gold medal in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics has brought new hopes amongst many young people when it comes to a career in sports. Until recently less people thought sports as a career as we don’t see many avenues in this area. The fact is there are opportunities but we could harness them properly. Getting gold or silver in the Olympics is not an easy task but this time Indians have shown that things are possible. We have seen sportspersons from North East India getting silver and bronze medals in the Tokyo Olympics.
We are also aware that National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Dhyan Chand Singh. National Sports Day is also observed to spread awareness on the importance of sports. Let us also discuss the day and sports as a career in India. There is no doubt that sports can be a career option in India if we plan and prepare for the same.
Career in sports is not only limited to playing any game. Sports people are there at the same time sports is also an industry where we can think of our career. Sports persons have more advantage to be in the sports industry if they know about it well. There are academies and institutes that promote sports and physical education. Sports universities and institutes like Laxmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), National Institute of Sports have contributed positively when it comes to career in sports in India.
When we talk about career options in sports management then few terms that come to us include MBA in Sports Management with more focus in areas like Sports Marketing and Sponsorship Manager; Sports Development Manager; Sports Event Manager; Sports Analyst; Sports Communication Manager; Sports Consultant; Sports Operations Manager, etc. Many of us are unaware of these courses or avenues when it comes to the North East.
One of the promising careers related to sports can be sports psychology which can be opted by aspirants having masters’ degree in psychology.
Some courses related to sports are – Diploma in Sports Medicine, Diploma in Sports Coaching, Diploma in Sports Management, Diploma in Sports Science & Nutrition, B.Sc in Physical Education, Health Education and Sports Sciences, Bachelor of Physical education, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sports Management, B.Sc in Sports Science, B.Sc in Sports and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Sports Management (BSM), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Sports Management, 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, M.Sc in Sports Science, etc.
It is not necessary to be an expert in any games to be successful in the field of sports as a career. This year’s performance of India in the Olympics is encouraging and more young people may enter the field of sports and build their careers. There is no doubt that sports opened up many career opportunities for young talents in India. To become a sports person, having a talent in the chosen sport is very important. Along with endowment, strong willpower and perseverance is needed.
(The author is a career mentor and skill trainer and can be reached at 8473943734 or [email protected] for any career related queries)