How to become a Sports Professional

Has Gagan Narang's & Saina Nehwal's bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics inspired you to take up sports as a career?

Sport is no longer just a recreational activity. It has evolved into a full-fledged and viable career option. The government too has taken a lot of measures in this direction. The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports in the Ministry of Human Resources and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have been established to encourage talented youth to pursue it as a career. The Sports Authority of India has been playing mentor to hundreds of young sportsmen from all over India, providing them with various training facilities, advanced infrastructure, scholarships and coaching facilities.

• M.Sc. in Sports Coaching: You need to be a graduate in any subject from any recognized Indian/foreign University or should have completed a diploma course in Sports Coaching from S.A.I., N.S.N.I.S, Patiala or its other academic centres. You must be proficient in sports. Your academic qualifications, achievements in the concerned field of sports, experience, achievements in the field of coaching and marks obtained in the Diploma Course in Sports Coaching is also taken into account.
   
• PG Diploma in Sports Medicine: Applicants should have passed Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS examination from any of the Indian/Foreign university recognized by Medical Council of India). They should also have excelled in sports and have some experience of working with sportspersons.
   
• Diploma in Sports Coaching: You should be a graduate in any discipline from any recognized Indian or foreign university and if you have cleared just the 10+2 level then you should be a medal winner in the Asian Games/Championships/Commonwealth Games/Championships/World Championships (Senior Sections only)/Olympic Games.
   
• To become a cricket umpire: In order to qualify for umpiring, you need to be a keen cricket follower who has played at the school and college level. You need to clear a test conducted by the State Cricket Association which will allow you to umpire at the state level matches. After you have acquired some experience at this level, you can appear for the test for umpiring at the Ranji Trophy level. Each state selects 5 candidates to appear for this test which is conducted every 3-5 years depending on the requirement. After about 5 yrs of umpiring at the Ranji Trophy level (at least 8 matches), you will have qualified to appear for the all-India level umpiring test which is conducted by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). Reaching the all-India level can take anywhere between 10-12 yrs. Each test consists of an objective-type paper which consists of 40-50 questions which have to be answered in 45 mins. This is followed by a 2 1/4-hr subjective-type paper which consists of 10-12 questions.

 Skills required

• Should be energetic, enthusiastic and physically fit. 
• Committed to your game 
• Patience, perseverance and a sporting spirit 
• Self-motivation and abundant physical stamina 

Different careers in sports:

Sports Medicine

Cricket Umpire

Fitness Trainer

Sports Commentator

Golfer

Sports Surgeon

The National Institute of Sports is the main academic centre of Sports Authority of India. Click here to read details about the courses it offers & other career options in the field of sports.

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