Career in sports can be rewarding
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Ranjan K Baruah
Sports are common amongst us but few take it for just physical fitness and to keep healthy while few take it the true spirit of sports and participate in different sporting events . Games and sports are truly powerful tools to bring people together and spread amity amongst communities or even nations. A sport has values to contribute in positive social transformation and due to its vast reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values; sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace.
To raise awareness of this potential, 6th April has been declared as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly. The adoption of this Day signifies the increasing recognition by the UN of the positive influence that sport can have on the advancement of human rights, and social and economic development.
In its Resolution (A/RES/67/296) establishing the Day, the General Assembly invites States, the UN system and, in particular, the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace, relevant international organizations, and international, regional and national sport organisations, civil society including, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and all other relevant stakeholders to cooperate, observe and raise awareness of the IDSDP.
This year’s theme is “leveling the playing field: sport for social inclusion”. Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool in promoting peace and development objectives. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sport’s role for social progress is further acknowledged and we should know that sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development.
A career in sports offers diverse opportunities, ranging from being a professional athlete to roles in sports management, coaching, journalism, and more, with growing demand and evolving opportunities in a rapidly expanding industry. Events like IPL also bring more opportunities for aspirants who are eager to be associated in the industry from events perspectives.
One may choose as a sportsperson or get associated as sports event management professionals or organizers or related to training and coaching. Sports journalism is equally important as they cover news and events related to sporting events. There are many other areas where trained and qualified persons are needed in the sports industry.
There are opportunities for the sports physiotherapists as they help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future problems. Sports psychologists’ help athletes improve their mental performance, manage stress, and enhance their focus. Sports medicine professionals focus on the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries.
There are many sports universities like National Sports University or institutes like Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, etc that offer various courses related to sports and physical education. Apart from government institutes there are many privately managed academies where sports enthusiasts may join and become successful sports persons in near future. Sports Authority of India (SAI) was set up in 1984 to carry forward the legacy of the IXth Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982 under the Department of Sports. SAl has been entrusted with the twin objectives of promoting sports and achieving sporting excellence at the national and international level. SAI has played a significant role in shaping India’s sports development by providing training to elite athletes and at the same time operating a number of schemes for the identification and development of young talent. The schemes are being implemented through various regional centres and training centres of SAI spread throughout the country. In addition to that, a number of academic programmes in physical education and sports are also offered by SAI.
(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and skill trainer and currently Adviser of Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department of Bodoland Territorial Council
Sports are common amongst us but few take it for just physical fitness and to keep healthy while few take it the true spirit of sports and participate in different sporting events . Games and sports are truly powerful tools to bring people together and spread amity amongst communities or even nations. A sport has values to contribute in positive social transformation and due to its vast reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values; sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace.
To raise awareness of this potential, 6th April has been declared as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly. The adoption of this Day signifies the increasing recognition by the UN of the positive influence that sport can have on the advancement of human rights, and social and economic development.
In its Resolution (A/RES/67/296) establishing the Day, the General Assembly invites States, the UN system and, in particular, the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace, relevant international organizations, and international, regional and national sport organisations, civil society including, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and all other relevant stakeholders to cooperate, observe and raise awareness of the IDSDP.
This year’s theme is “leveling the playing field: sport for social inclusion”. Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool in promoting peace and development objectives. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sport’s role for social progress is further acknowledged and we should know that sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development.
A career in sports offers diverse opportunities, ranging from being a professional athlete to roles in sports management, coaching, journalism, and more, with growing demand and evolving opportunities in a rapidly expanding industry. Events like IPL also bring more opportunities for aspirants who are eager to be associated in the industry from events perspectives.
One may choose as a sportsperson or get associated as sports event management professionals or organizers or related to training and coaching. Sports journalism is equally important as they cover news and events related to sporting events. There are many other areas where trained and qualified persons are needed in the sports industry.
There are opportunities for the sports physiotherapists as they help athletes recover from injuries and prevent future problems. Sports psychologists’ help athletes improve their mental performance, manage stress, and enhance their focus. Sports medicine professionals focus on the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries.
There are many sports universities like National Sports University or institutes like Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, etc that offer various courses related to sports and physical education. Apart from government institutes there are many privately managed academies where sports enthusiasts may join and become successful sports persons in near future. Sports Authority of India (SAI) was set up in 1984 to carry forward the legacy of the IXth Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982 under the Department of Sports. SAl has been entrusted with the twin objectives of promoting sports and achieving sporting excellence at the national and international level. SAI has played a significant role in shaping India’s sports development by providing training to elite athletes and at the same time operating a number of schemes for the identification and development of young talent. The schemes are being implemented through various regional centres and training centres of SAI spread throughout the country. In addition to that, a number of academic programmes in physical education and sports are also offered by SAI.
(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and skill trainer and currently Adviser of Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department of Bodoland Territorial Council