A career in sports is perhaps still in a nascent stage in our country. There is scepticism about the opportunities sports can offer hence people tend to give more importance to academic qualifications as surer routes to jobs when compared to sports training. Sports and physical education hence have taken a back seat for a long time.
Interest in sports is often considered non-generative in terms of employability and hence receives little attention in career planning. Considerable effort is being done to eliminate scepticism concerning the value of this discipline. Scholarships and Award schemes introduced to encourage sports talent and relaxation in recruitment rules for sports persons of merit have been notable moves in this direction.
In planning a career in Sports there are three main options. First is the option to pursue the sport or game on a full time basis generally with sponsorship from an employer/promoter; the second option is to become a trainer/instructor/coach for a game or sporting event; and finally use the experience accrued over years as a sportsperson to work in a related field, such as, sports journalism, sports goods manufacture/marketing or as commentator. Sports persons with some experience can be good organisers of games and recreation clubs.
Careers in sports have mainly led to teaching and coaching in schools, colleges and universities, but now with efforts from the government and the increasing social consciousness towards games and sports other areas like sports management, sports medicine, sports journalism, leisure and adventure sport, fitness and health, recreation etc are emerging career openings.
Physical education instructors
Schools and colleges offer Physical Education as a discipline much like academic subjects such as social sciences, languages, and the natural sciences etc. Teachers of Physical Education need to possess a graduate/postgraduate degree in the subject and a teaching qualification . The subject comprises of both the theoretical and practical aspects hence the job entails class room teaching along with on ground training. Physical education instructors conduct physical training classes, organise games, and coach students in games and athletics. They train students in calisthenics (science of bodily exercise),gymnastics, and other physical exercises to promote strength and gracefulness, or to reduce and correct bodily posture. They organise and instruct or are referees for games such as hockey, basketball, football etc. They are also responsible for the maintenance of gymnasiums and sports equipments. Job opportunities for Physical Education teachers is in schools and colleges. Games in junior classes is also supervised by Physical Education teachers.
Coaches
Coaches are potentially sportsmen or players with talent and promise in fundamental techniques and rules of competitive sport or games.Their job entails selecting potential players and sports persons, instructing them in the fundamentals and rules of the games. They teach them planning and precision of movements, demonstrate techniques of play, drill them in fundamentals until players become familiar. They observe players in action, and offer helpful criticism and corrective methods. They accompany the player during tournaments and provide necessary guidance as well as boost the morale of players. There are coaches for each game and athletic event.
Umpire/Referee
This job requires a knowledge of the rules of the game. Appointment or certification of Umpires/Referees is done by recognised state or national bodies. Their job is to conduct the games and sports in accordance with rules and regulations. Inspecting sports equipment, the ground, enforcing compliance of schedules, rules, etc. is their job.
Professional players
Proficiency and achievements in a game/sport determines the status of players. Professional players are selected from among those who show record performance in a number of tournaments played at various levels. Selections are conducted at the institutional level, district level, regional level and the national level. Outstanding performers represent the country at the international level. Many talented sports persons are employed in government sector enterprises or with the private sector who they represent in the sporting event/game in various tournaments and matches.
Government recruits meritorious sports persons directly to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts if they fulfill the requisite educational qualifications. Nationalised banks, public sector undertakings and some private groups recruit outstanding sports persons.
Sports person's work needs physical conditioning and psycho motor development. While professional performance may be often short lived it does offer openings to official positions with sports organizations. These officials have to be competent in their area of work and must have extensive knowledge of their sport. Preparing for handling official tasks needs on the job experience. There are written and practical examinations which they may have to take. These are given by state and national sport organizations.
Sports Management
Sports management is a large though still expanding field. Interest in the sports business is as varied as the emerging opportunities.There is a choice between functional areas like event marketing and management, media planning, product evaluations, finance, audit and media planning, merchandising, management of corporate events and sponsorship, infrastructure management etc.
Sports management remains exclusive to those working for a long time in sports. For new entrants internship with experienced sports managers is the trend. In developed countries Sports Management is a specialist subject for study.
Managers of sport and leisure clubs
In India clubs have sports facilities and many hotels have leisure centers. Managers who take care of these facilities for providing service to clients have a number of responsibilities. They have administrative duties along with sports duties. They have to do office work e.g., manage accounts, do planning, timetabling for schools, clubs and the general public and arrange for specialized coaches, like aerobics, swimming and judo instructors, to work in the centre. Health and safety regulations have to be adhered to, complaints handled, and bar and catering facilities have to be kept profitable. Staff may have to be organized on a shift basis. The centres often cover a wide range of interests - Judo, archery, gymnastics, etc., depending on the facilities.
Sports and leisure club managers have to ensure that the premises, pool and equipment such as badminton nets, mats are maintained.
Sports for physical fitness and therapy
Sport and health are being recognised as related concepts. In India, quite like the developed countries, there is growing interest in health and fitness. Hence fitness and health related professionals are in demand. Physical education teachers and coaches are considered to be exercise specialists. These exercise specialists are working in hospitals, health clubs where they organize and supervise exercise/sports programmes. The scope of physical education in its various adaptations is becoming widely used. These adaptions work towards developing body coordination, fitness and for rehabilitation.
Sports and business
Marketing of sports goods, research and development also need the involvement of sports persons. Sales of sports and recreation goods is on the increase. The marketing personnel need to have a broad background of physical activity and sport. Sportsmen with business skills can call upon buyers and convince them for their products.
Sports journalism
This is a work for professionals who can write, visualize, design, edit and work in publishing and production units for sports journalism, both audio and video. Most newspapers, magazines and sports journals employ columnists, feature writers from among persons who are involved in the sports world in some way or the other. TV today also broadcasts sports news and sports programmes. Commentators, programme producers, directors and presenters are involved in preparing and presenting sports programmes for its viewers.
Sports photojournalists cover sports events for newspaper and magazines.
Sports administration
The government sponsored sports institutions have officials to manage the work at various levels. Senior officials usually are sports teachers, coaches who have managed sport activities at the lower levels. Planning and managing sports activities through these organizations is their responsibility. It is the responsibility of the Sports Authority both at the centre and State level to manage sport related programmes.
Adventure sports promotion
Popular adventure sports are trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, cycling on difficult terrain, jungle safari, desert safari, grass skiing, snow skiing, bungee jumping and artificial rock climbing. In sea, long distance swimming, surfing, board sailing or wind surfing, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sea awareness, power boating and long distance motor boating are very popular among sporting enthusiasts. Long distance swimming, rafting, canoeing and kayaking are popular ones in the river. In the air, para sailing, para gliding, hang gliding, micro light flying, sky diving, powered hang gliding and sky jumping. In India promoters provide facilities for training, equipment, camping etc. A combination of sports interest and managerial skills are combined in this career.
Work Environment
Sports and Physical Education are prominently outdoor activities though some games are practised and played in indoor stadium. Practice takes up fixed hours and despite extreme weather conditions it is carried on.
In other areas related to sports the environment depends on the nature of the job eg. sports business people work in sports goods industries or in marketing. In the industry they spend considerable time with the design department. In fitness centres they work with clients spending time in advising, planning and conducting exercise or fitness sessions.
Personal Characteristics
Sports persons are energetic, enthusiastic and physically fit people. All professionals in this field must be absolutely committed to the profession and the game. Coaches and instructors have several years of experience and training besides the necessary academic qualifications.
Patience, perseverance and a sporting spirit are required to excel. In allied areas of work communication and business skills are gaining importance and value.
Earnings
The earnings of sports persons varies from game to game . The limit cannot be defined for outstanding sports persons. The available figures have been given.
A qualified umpire earns Rs.200 while a registered umpire gets Rs.150. But a Ranji panel umpire who regulates any Board match earns a minimum of Rs.6,000/- as match fee besides air fare and stay allowances. It’s not very lucrative at the bottom level, but there’s big money in international cricket. While one-day international umpires earn Rs.25,000 as match fee from the Board, excluding air fare and stay allowances, test umpires are paid air fare and stay Rs.1 lakh as match fee inclusive of boarding and lodging.
