The sports industry is on an upward spiral and the growth numbers are only going to increase. With a projected revenue generation of Rs 60,000 crore, the industry is in full bloom. And with it are all the people involved in some or the other game. Rakshit Malhotra tells you how one can cash in
Sport is not just a game, but has also a prospering business. It is estimated that sports business has grown up to Rs 60,000cr which testifies that sports management will undoubtedly be one of the most sought after careers in the next couple of years.
Post the success of the sporting legend in the country and with the arrival of cash rich leagues like Indian Premier league (IPl), Hockey India league, Indian Badminton league (IBl) etc, students are now considering sports as a full fledged career option.
“The IPl is the second richest sporting league in the world after America’s National Basketball Association league and generates directly or indirectly about 15,000 jobs in India. This is just an example to show how big and lucrative the sports industry in India is becoming. Post the success of sports legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sushil Kumar, MC Mary Com, Saina Nehwal and Abhinav Bindra, people are now changing their perception and students are opting for various forms of sports as a full-fledged career,” Sudha Mary Toppo, regional co-ordinator, South Asia office, Sheffield Hallam University, tells you.
With an increase in demand and interest among people, the requirement for trained professionals has also increased especially in the sports management area. There are many universities that have established sport management expertise. There is a plethora of employment opportunities in the public and private sector under the sports quota. Some of the Government schemes that provide a platform for the students includes national sports talent content scheme (NSTC), SAI training centre scheme (STC), centre of excellence scheme (COX) and come and play scheme.
Job profile
>SPORTS PERSONS
To be a sportsperson, one requires training from the grassroot level. Even amateurs who are good in any sports can think about taking it to another level by getting a proper training from reputed coaches in your field of interest. A sportsperson requires a strict training regime under the expert guidance of this coach. “Apart from a sporting spirit, patience, perseverance, commitment, energy, enthusiasm and physical fitness, a person interested to pursue a single sport must be dedicated to the game as well,” Neerav Tomar, MD and CEO, Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) Sports and Entertainment (P) limited, states. A sportsperson can make money by the way of match fees, tournament prize money, endorsements and contracts.
>Physical education instructor or Coaches
Behind every successful sportsperson, there is a coach. Therefore, there is plethora of job openings at educational institutions, academics and clubs for trained coaches. It is the responsibility of the coach to chalk out an ideal training programme and enhance the performance of the trainee. One star prodigy can help the coach to come into the limelight. Which will only ensure his success.
>Umpires and referees
A person with thorough knowledge of the rules of the game and who has a passion for the sport can also become an umpire or a referee. Their job is to officiate the game in accordance with rules and regulations as set by the concerned governing body. They are recruited through the process set by the governing bodies of different sports and are paid anywhere between Rs 50,000-Rs 1,00,00 per game.
>Sports manager
“All successful and well-known players have their own sports managers, personal trainers, physiotherapists, PR Managers to manage their exercise sessions, media interactions, charity matches and their business approach. Thus, a sports manager has to manage everything which involves planning, supervising and delivering,” Toppo says.
One can also come up with a sports management firm that can keep a track of clients and look after activities such as schedules, career progression, business promotion, administrative work and even media and public relations. The industry requires dynamic, extrovert, enterprising persons who have a good understanding of business and know about the technical aspect of such a profession.
>Sports physicians
Where there is a sport, there is bound to be injury. Thus specialised physicians are required not only for the awareness perspective but also to ensure that the player is able to perform efficiently. The opening of various sports specialty centers across the country has increased the demand for sports physicians.
>Sports journalist
Those having a fluent writing and communication skills along with up to date information about the happenings in sports can pursue the career as a sports journalist. With rapid growth in TV, newspapers, magazines and other media forms, sports journalism has evolved as a highly paid profession.
Remuneration
“The salary is very country specific. In the UK for instance, a fresher in this industry can expect a package of £10k -15k during his initial years whereas a manager with some experience can expect to get a four lakh per annum package,” Toppo says.