Sports as a career option

“I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failure.”

--- Earl Warren

Come the IPL or T20, the country is brought to a halt. Likewise, Davies Cup, Wimbledon, CWGs, Olympics and many other sporting events interest everybody; sports lovers go crazy.  The youth views a sportsperson in high esteem, not just because of performance alone, but on account of associated glory. And with glory is also attached the aspect of very high pecuniary gains. 

A sporting career undoubtedly has inherent in it fame, glamour and recognition. However, it does not come easy. Concentration, training, endeavour and resoluteness are important factors that contribute to excellence. The sporting journey is not undemanding; you have to be always at your fittest and be willing to give up many things to reach the zenith. Sports, as a career is indeed an exhilarating option. 

Your interest in sports comes at an early age. It is like a love affair – you have to fall for and court it; only then can you enjoy it and if you do not, you will fail miserably. If you have a penchant for a game, you need to train so that your talents can be developed further. To that extent, you must have appropriate training facilities and that includes the services of an accomplished coach. Once you happen to be on the correct course, you are deemed to become a professional with a bright career ahead.  

The industry of sports, if it can be called so offers a plethora of opportunities. These opportunities are available in both government and non-government domains. You need not be an active player; journalism, marketing, management, education, medicine, diet and edicts, etc are some of the alternatives that you can select from. This industry is still embryonic but very promising; the contours and arc of which is contingent on the type of men and women who enter the fray and the manner in which they find their feet in their sporting journey.

There is also a close connection between sports and certain other professions; and this link is fast coming to the fore. You can develop yourself in a specific area of expertise and then dedicate yourself on sports. The remuneration offered depends upon the field that you have specialized in.  A distinct advantage of working in the sports industry is that you associate with people who are ardent in their endeavours. The high degree of enthusiasm is brought about by the non-conventional nature of the sports industry presently as also the youthfulness and eagerness to face exigent situations of the partakers. Because sports as a profession, is yet to develop fully, there are no concrete characterizations. As a result, there is a tremendous scope for inventiveness and advancement.

But it is not all silver linings. The widespread perception prevails that sports as a career, is not for the academically bright and industrious. But thanks to the media revolution, in recent years, some of the most intelligent and sharp boys and girls have started looking up to sports and allied pursuits. They all want to excel and bring glory to sports and earn laurels for themselves and their country. Dreaming big is alright, but you will need to be meticulous, assiduous, well-organized, sincere and venturesome if you have to make it big.

To discover budding and steadfast sportspersons is also an endeavour by itself. Sports and sportspersons have their own share of oscillations with intermittent plateau periods. With the sports industry yet to be established fully, there are intense contests and which call for continual alacrity. Your passion for your pursuit has to be great like what is evident from what Rogers Hornsby, the famous baseball player said, “People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”

Gold medals are not actually cast of the yellow metal. They are made of a mettle that is an alloy of perseverance, strength of mind, resolve and determination. Remember that you will not be able to build your character by taking up sports as a career; it will automatically come to be known.