SPORTS AND MANAGEMENT

Sports, which was traditionally considered a hobby especially in India, is now being taken seriously as a career option. With the country's medal performance in wrestling, badminton, boxing , etc at the 2012 London Olympics and with F1 coming to India, its just not cricket which is a rage among the youth. Besides games, there are many other areas that are gaining in popularity within the ambit of sports such as medicine, management, physiotherapy, clinics, etc. Schools and colleges are also encouraging sports among students.

 

At the school level, too, sports and fitness are being taken seriously; the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a vocational course in sports on fitness and gym operation from the academic session 2012-13.

 

While there are several sports academies, not all universities offer physical education as a discipline, except for Delhi University.

 

Work profile:

You can opt for being a professional player; a physical education instructor; a coach; an umpire or referee. You could even take up and practice sports medicine; or you could opt for sports journalism if you like to write. Or, better still take up a career that is a mix of sports and marketing or business. This is specialist area that is becoming increasingly popular today, it's the area of sports management and administration. Sports management combines work as an agent along with the business and marketing aspects of the sport.

Eligibility:

You can take up any course of study at graduation level to be eligible for the sports management postgraduate diploma course. You could go in for a Bachelor's in Physical Education (BP Ed) or related course in the particular sports of your liking. The Sports Authority of India conducts courses in physical education that you can take up. Pursuing courses in business or administration will help too.

 

Institutions:

Post Graduate Diploma In Sports Management (PGDSM) is presently available at only two recognised universities in India:

 

Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu offers a one-year PGDSM

Eligibility: Candidates who have passed BP Ed and NIS diploma exams. Application form and prospectus can be had from Director, Directorate of Distance Education, Alagappa University, Karaikudi-623003.

 

Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science, New Delhi offers a one-year PGDSM

Eligibility: 40 per cent marks in Bachelor's degree and sports achievements. Seats (50) Notification comes up in the month of June. The last date for application is in July.

 

Several private colleges and institutions are now introducing diploma courses in sports management. Several institutions abroad offer courses in sports management too, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma levels. You may even be eligible for a sports scholarship in the United States if you play at state or national level in any sport. The UK, France and several other countries offer courses in sports management.

 

Personal attributes:

To be successful in this profession, you need to have: a liking for the sport; commitment to the sport and to the profession; energy and enthusiasm; patience; perseverance and sporting spirit. Most importantly, you must have good communication and business skills. It's particularly satisfying if you have an keen interest in sports, but are not able to make it to a competitive level. Even sports-persons who have given up active playing can utilise their experience and pursue a career in sports management.

The Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences (IGIPESS), under the department of physical education ,

Delhi University, offers courses in physical education and sports sciences at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels . The institute conducts a BSc programme in physical education, health education and sports sciences (PEHES). While at the PG level, it offers a Bachelor of physical education (BPED) programme. The institute also conducts BA (disciplinary ) and BA (application course) along with other DU colleges.

 

Devinder K Kansal, principal , Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences (IGIPESS) and HoD, physical education and sports sciences, DU, says, "Today there are numerous avenues for those wanting to pursue physical education as a discipline in various fields from teaching, sports management, sports nutrition , physiotherapy, fitness experts, etc."

 

Kanika Yadav, a national-level volleyball player and a final-year student of BSc, says that studying sports has given her an edge over other sportspersons. "During the course we get specialised knowledge on current game rules, injury application, technical skills, etc," she adds.

 

Nilesh Kulkarni, director of a sports management institute adds that there are no 'university affiliated' institutes offering education in courses like sports management because there is not enough awareness about the various opportunities that such a course can offer.

 

Though historically cricket dominated the industry , today the country can boast of an annual sporting calendar comprising other games as well. Therefore, this has increased the employability quotient of sports. Many aspirants prefer to go abroad to pursue a degree in sports, as there are more study options available.

 

"Since sports as a field of study is under-developed in India, I decided to go overseas to study the subject. I studied Master's in sport management at the Loughborough University. I am a national-level table tennis player and I always aspired to pursue a career in the field of sport development," says Aman Dhall, who on completing his studies launched a highperformance sports academy in India.

 

Responding to the need to take a multi-disciplinary approach to sports, Chennai-based Ramachandra University has introduced a BSc degree in sports and exercise sciences. "There exists a misconception about the definition of sports medicine in India," says Sivaraman Arumugam, head, department of arthroscopy and sports medicine, "One of the more recent responsibilities that sports medicine has had to undertake is to improve on-field performance ." With the globalisation of sport and the entry of several league-based tournaments like the IPL, most teams are involving coaches and sports medicine practitioners. "We as a nation are lacking in an organised and scientific approach to performance assessment. That is where academic expertise in sports and exercise sciences come in handy" he adds.

 

Sports management

 

If sports is your passion and forte, you need not keep it on the inside track. A career that allows you to stay in touch with your favourite activity, yet make a living of it, sports management is one of the most demanded career profile internationally.

 

Among the many profiles you could opt for are - sports event manager, professional player, physical education instructor, coach and umpire or referee. Internationally, the demand for professional sports managers is increasing, and hence, the career is expected to reach its peak in the years to come. "Various parts of the world are going through dynamic economic changes. Despite slowdown in certain economies, students are seeking quality education in a global environment. Among the many unconventional courses offered, careers in sports management are on the high," shares Sushil Sukhwani, director of an education counselling firm.

So what are you waiting for? Go, make a career that keeps you entertained, yet helps you earn