By Navya Kalra
What happened to those morning alarms that never went on snooze just because you had to wake up and hit the ground for your cricket, football, badminton or any other sports? Where is that sportsmanship spirit that never let you give up no matter what? And what about all those victories that made you who you are today?
If you too have left sports after your high school or college just because there was no way you were becoming a professional athlete or a player, then this article right here is exactly what you need. Always remember once a sportsman, always a sportsman. So don't just let your passion for sports rust within your heart, let it out and outshine your future in it with different professions in the field of sports that will keep you closer to who you actually are.
If you believe that sports is something that you are born for, then why not make it your career and let the inborn passion for it prosper in leaps and bounds. Choosing career in sports can be tricky, but if you are right here reading this, then continue further to know about the most amazing career options in this field. As a matter of fact, Sports is amongst one of those amazing fields where students from every background are welcomed with open arms. So if you are sports enthusiast and wonder how you can take up career in sports, you are in the right place.
Now get ready to explore some astonishing career opportunities in Sports, as we want you to know that your connection with sports can be much broader than being an athlete or a player.
TOP SPORTS CAREER OPTIONS IN INDIA
1. Sports Coach
Average Sports Coach Salary as a Beginner: Rs.25,000 per month
Coaches play an important role in the lives of all students and well a Sports Coach always has a different connection with its team and the game.
So if you feel that you want to keep your game going for the long run and are interested in teaching your unique techniques to others as well then becoming a sports coach will be just the right fit for you as a career option.
To be successful in becoming a renowned sports coach one must be enthusiastic, goal-oriented, focused, patient and pretty much a clear communicator.
As a sports coach, you will be required to design regular sports and exercise routines, select players for matches and tournaments and train those players and accompany them for all events.
Inital salary of sports coach will be around 20k to 25k. But it can scale over time as they introduce great athletes and make good name for themselves.
Qualifications Required: A bachelor's degree in physical education or exercise science along with a coaching certificate in a particular sport. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
2. Sports Journalist/ Commentating
Average Sports Journalist Salary as a Beginner: Rs.30,000 per month
What's better than having a job that will not only keep you close to your passion but also give you great opportunities to learn and grow. With a rapid increase in the use of media, sports journalism has secured a good position as a profession.
Along with this if you feel you have a good command over your communication skills you can easily get into commentating and not only enjoy the game with a closer view but also give your personal views on it.
On top of everything if you feel that you have established a good name in this field you start getting free tickets to all big games and well your views become important to the general public.
People interested in sports and with a degree in mass communication will ultimately make great journalists or even a commentator.
However having a few qualities like dedication towards the game, creativity to find fresh angles about the game and flexibility to reach anywhere to cover the great news are some things that can just add more towards making this career option best for you.
Qualification Required: With a bachelor's degree in mass media and with good internships to practise you can easily crack this opportunity.
3. Sports Photographer
Average Salary of Sports Photographer: Rs.35,000 per month
If you have a passion for sports and photography, sports photography may be an ideal career option for you.
Sports photographers are trained to be efficient and specialize in shooting two or three particular sports.
A good sports photographer should have a sense of precision to capture the right shot, perfect player expressions, and an understanding of the optimal shooting location.
To capture quick movements and subtle shots, a good sports photographer should be equipped with the right gadgets, which will come in handy while out on the field.
If you enjoy getting a good view of events, sports photography could be the perfect job for you.
Qualification Required: With a bachelor's degree in photography or journalism and 1 year intensive program specializing in photography you will be fit to enter this job. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
4. Sports Medical Doctor/ Physician
Average Sports Physician Salary: 1.5 lakhs per month
A sports physician plays a crucial role in sports by preventing and healing players' injuries, and tracking their fitness levels.
A medical examination before joining a sports team is crucial, and it is usually done under a physician's supervision.
A physician's consultation may extend beyond sports injuries to other physiological issues a player may have, such as asthma or other underlying problems.
Only a well-trained physician can prescribe medicine to players, as they know the players' medical histories.
Some players have their own personal physicians, while other physicians may practice with an entire organization or start their own practice.
Those wanting to become sports medical doctors must have good analytical abilities to analyze and take actions according to the situation.
A responsible, well-balanced, and planned day can add to the efficacy of work in this profession.
Qualification Required: Shall graduate from high school in the field of science with more than 50% of marks, clear the NEET exam after school and then move into doing an M.B.B.S. A specialisation can be done at a Post graduation level.
5. Sports Manager
Average Sports Manager Salary: Rs.50,000 per month
With the increasing awareness and acceptance of sports as a career, one promising profession is Sports Management.
Sports management involves handling all administrative aspects of sports teams, sports clubs, athletes, sportspersons, sports venues, and sports events.
Sports management is required at all levels where sports are played, from schools and colleges to local, national, and international levels.
Sports management includes a wide variety of professions, such as sports analyst, sports event manager, sports facility manager, and sports marketer or specialist handling sponsorships.
If you have a passion for managing sports, consider a career in sports management and start your professional life.
Qualifications Required: Minimum qualification is 10+2 passing certificate with a minimum of 50% from a recognised institute. Involvement in a sports activity can be a good benefit for the candidates looking to pursue their careers as Sports Managers. Besides this degrees like BBA Sports Management or MBA Sports Management can be looked at.
6. Sports Physiotherapist
Average Sports Physiotherapist Salary: Rs.45,000 per month
The main role of a sports physiotherapist is to help teams and players with sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and injury surveillance programs by identifying potential movement problems.
To excel in this career, one must have a keen interest in physiology and anatomy, a good understanding of their patients, the ability to manage tasks efficiently, and be able to take action quickly.
Sports and exercise therapists should work well with other professionals in the field to provide support and ensure the safety of all team members.
Sports physiotherapists can also play a major role in deciding which players are fit to participate in particular matches due to their knowledge of each player's physical condition.
Qualification Required: One who wants to become a physiotherapist should have Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects in their class 12th. Separate entrance exams are conducted by colleges and universities for this course. Also you might have to clear other state and central level entrance exams to be eligible for this profession. A bachelor's degree in physiotherapy is usually 4-5 years long.
7. Sports Psychologist
Average Sports Psychologist Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
Choosing to become a sports psychologist can be an interesting choice for those studying psychology, especially if they have a keen interest in sports and physical activity.
Sports psychology is an emerging and diverse field that deals with how psychology can influence sports, athletic performances, exercises, and other physical activities.
Sports psychologists mostly work with athletes or teams to motivate them to perform better and enhance their performance on the field, but they also work with the general public to encourage them to love sports and stick to their exercise routines.
Professional sports psychologists help athletes cope with intense pressure that comes with competition and problems related to focus and motivation.
A sports psychologist should possess empathy, understanding, patience, and excellent communication skills to serve those in need of treatment properly.
Qualification Required: To become a sports psychologist one must have a bachelor's degree in Psychology and further they can continue to specialise in sports psychology during their masters. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
8. Sports Director
Average Sports Director Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
A director's main role is to direct people, and the same applies to a sports director, who provides proper guidance and direction to a school/college or organization's sports program.
The sports director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sports association, from hiring appropriate coaches for the team to managing salaries and making travel bookings and arrangements.
If you are an organized person with innate leadership abilities and a passion for sports, a career as a sports director may be a perfect fit for you.
Basic skills such as leadership, organization, management, and good interpersonal communication are essential for success in this profession.
A job as a sports director is highly respected and valuable in the field of sports, as in many organizations, the sports director is considered the backbone of the entire team.
Qualification Required: It is preferable for you to have physical education as an subject in your Class 12th. Later anyone willing to become an Sports Director can have an Bachelor's degree in physical education and a masters in the same will be more preferable from the jobs perspective.
9. Sports And Fitness Nutritionist
Average Sports Director Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
People in general are very particular about their health nowadays, and athletes and fitness enthusiasts tend to go to great lengths to take care of their health, nutrition, and diet.
A Sports and Fitness Nutritionist is responsible for teaching athletes and health-conscious individuals about ways to improve their health, optimize their performance, and manage their weight.
Nutritionists may advise people to follow different kinds of diets, perform specific exercises, and use vitamins, minerals, and other supplements.
With the increase in public awareness about staying fit and healthy, there are many opportunities in this field.
A good sports or fitness nutritionist should have sufficient knowledge about diets, food supplements, vitamins, minerals, and should be well-trained because handling someone's health is a crucial task.
A good nutritionist should also know how to motivate people effectively, as motivation plays a vital role in keeping individuals going.
Qualification Required: To become a good nutritionist one should be from a science background. A bachelor's degree in science with subjects like home science, microbiology, chemistry, medicine should be considered. One must even pursue an 1 year long PG diploma in nutrition and dietetics. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
10. Sports Entrepreneur
Average Sports Director Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
Starting a sports academy can be a great way to turn your passion for sports into a career.
A sports entrepreneur can be creative, financially stable, organised, and a good communicator.
To stand out from the competition, an entrepreneur should plan and execute something unique and innovative that has not been done before.
The academy can cater not only to those who already play sports but also to those interested in relaxing and mindful activities.
Successful entrepreneurship in sports requires a blend of business skills and a deep understanding of the industry.
Running a sports academy can keep you close to your passion for sports and provide opportunities for personal growth and development.
Qualification Required: To become a sports entrepreneur one must be qualified in handling business and this can be through a bachelor's degree in business studies and management. It is not mandatory to have a degree in management. One can have a background in sports and understanding of nuances revolving around Business will also serve the purpose.
11. Sports Event Manager
Average Sports Director Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
A strong support team is necessary for the success of any event, including sports events.
The job of a sports event manager involves planning, organizing, and coordinating various aspects of an event.
The job scope of a sports event manager may vary depending on the scale of the event.
A sports event manager is responsible for ensuring that all necessary equipment and arrangements are available and in place for the event.
A successful sports event requires someone who is careful, particular, and possesses leadership qualities.
Being a sports event manager provides an opportunity to work closely with players, the game, and pursue a passion for sports.
Qualification Required: Bachelors or certificate degree in event management and an internship strong enough to give you an overview of how the events in sports are managed and conducted.
12. Sports Analyst
Average Sports Director Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
A sports analyst is different from a sports journalist or commentator.
It is a job for people who are skilled in handling data and working with numbers.
The profession requires a lot of working hours, as sports videos must be watched and analyzed second by second.
Sports analysts analyze players and teams to present their statistics and give them an edge over the competition.
Professional and other sports teams use the analysis of a good sports analyst to improve their game.
Being trained in data handling and having patience while analyzing every move of the player are essential for success in this profession.
Qualifications Required: A bachelor's degree in Sports Journalism, Communication, or Data Analytics and to become an on camera sports analyst you might want to have a little experience in media as well. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
13. Career in Adventure Sports
Average Sports Director Salary: Rs.65,000 per month
Adventure Sports is an exciting and developing field in sports, which offers several career options.
Professionals in Adventure Sports can include leaders, instructors, entrepreneurs, and facilities managers at adventure resorts.
Expedition leaders are responsible for leading biking, trekking, mapping the course, planning strategy, sourcing equipment, and managing the group during the expedition.
Instructors teach technical skills to beginners and tourists, such as using adventure equipment, climbing, skiing, or sailing.
Outdoor trainers use their adventure skills and business knowledge to run offsite programs for companies that create learning around risk, achievement, teamwork, leadership, etc.
With the rapid increase in tourism in almost all parts of the nation, one can start their venture for exciting adventure sports for the public.
Starting an adventure sports venture will require a good and trained team of experts to overlook and assist the activity.
This field is perfect for those who are passionate, adventurous, and bold enough to take risks to enjoy the thrill of life.
Qualification Required: In this field there is no particular qualification as such. All you have to make sure is you are trained well under experts and know the technicalities of all the equipment and the usage of those. One should be physically fit to assist others performing the sport and in case your adventure sport requires swimming make sure that you are a proficient swimmer. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
14. Career in e-sports
ESports is an uprising career in the field of sports where professional gamers compete using video games.
It is a wide field that includes Managing Directors, Game Organisers, Streamers, Game Designers, Esports Journalists, Product Managers, Game Testers and more.
ESports is a great career option to keep your passion for games going strong, especially considering the ongoing situation.
To become a professional in this field, one will need a lot of practice and experience as all the work is precise and cannot be dealt with lightly.
It is important to reach out to tournament organisers, broadcasters, or join a relevant firm in this field for great experience and good knowledge to keep going in this field in the long run.
Qualification Required: There is no specific qualification for one to enter the industry of ESports. However, a particular set of skill sets and knowledge will vary from one profession to another. Connect with Meraki Expert to know more.
Here is a List of Top 10 Indian Sports Colleges to choose from for your reference:-
Netaji Subhas National Sports Institute, Patiala.
National Academy of Sports Management, Mumbai
International Institute of Sports Management (IISM), Mumbai
Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, New Delhi
College of Physical Education, Pune
Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior
Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram
Swarnim Gujarat Sports University,Gandhinagar Gujarat.
Amity University, Noida
Guru Gobind Sports College, Lucknow
Conclusion
If you believe that sports is where your true passion lies then why let it die after a few years of your life? Now take your love for sports to another level by choosing from the best career options in this field. Because we believe once a sportsman always a sportsman.
Also if you think that you are yet not clear about the various careers and the wide options about this field of profession, it is always recommended to opt for career counselling just to gain an insight and a much clearer view about these various career options. I will put this article to an end with this beautiful quote “If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.” So never give up on your dreams because if you really believe in them, they are bound to come true.
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