A career in sports industry as a sportsperson or even as a professional is an exciting option that not only offers good money but also fame and recognition

The India-Pakistan cricket match during the T20 world cup this year brought the country to a standstill. Work came to a halt and all people could talk about was the match. A few days later when the Indian team lifted the world cup, there was a sense of euphoria and victory in the nation. Celebrations went on for days and it felt like we had won a war. Such is the importance of sports in our country.

Though it is true that cricket is more popular than other sports, but with the exceptionally good performance of the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, other sports are seen in a new light. A career of a sports person is accompanied with its share of glamour and fame but this does not come easy. Focus, hard work and determination are important for a player to excel. Being on top of your game and making sacrifices to reach there are just part of the journey.

Proper training is required to develop the talent

Developing an interest in a particular sport is important from an early age. Falling in love with the game and enjoying it is key to developing a career in that field. Proper training is required once you realise you want to develop your talent in a particular sport. Apart from facilities, it is crucial to find a good coach at the right age. Once you are on the right track, no one can stop you from turning professional and making a career in this field.

Opportunities in various domains

This industry has many other opportunities and one can be part of the sports brigade by choosing to work in a sports related field. Opportunities that can be found within both public and private sectors offer sports enthusiasts a place in this dynamic industry. Sports media and marketing, team administration, coaching, sports engineering, sports medicine and nutrition and sports law, are few options to choose from.

“We are in-charge of everything outside the game for a sports person, such as, events, media, branding and public appearance. We are the spokesperson for the players we represent and the office for all non sport related matters,” says Latika Khaneja, Director, Collage Sports Management, while discussing a career in sports management. Since this is still a nascent industry, what shape and trajectory of growth it acquires depends on new entrepreneurs that have entered the field and find reasonable space to innovate along the way.

A blend of sports and other professions

Another line of work emerging is the overlap of sports and other professions. One can specialise in a profession, such as, law, medicine and journalism and then focus on sports. Discussing medicine and sports, IPS Oberoi, sports orthopedic, Aretemis Health Institute, Gurgaon, says, “A sports physician can either be a team doctor or a specialised physician. They look after sports injuries. The remuneration depends on their experience. It may range from anything between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per annum.”

The advantages of sports industry

The advantages of a career related to the sports industry is that you are working with people who are passionate about their work. They are mostly young people looking for a challenge because this industry is still away from the conventional thing to do. As these professions are still evolving and have no set definitions, there is room for innovation and originality. These professions can be pretty lucrative also.

The flip side

But there is a flip side to all this to. Sports is still seen as a nonconventional career. Often, youngsters come in only for the glamour and not for the hard work. Finding promising sports persons who are committed and dedicated, is also a challenge. Players and games usually have their share of ups and downs with long lull periods. This being a young industry is highly competitive and keeps one on their toes.

What’s the way?

The best way to enter any of these fields and decide what you want to specialise in, is to seek a sports-related internship. In the sports industry, internships are critical to young professionals seeking their first job in sports.

Today some of the smartest young minds are engaged in sports and sports related activities. An eye for detail, commitment, hard work, efficiency, honesty and the willingness to excel are a prerequisite for anyone wanting to make it big in this industry.