Andhra Pradesh   

Stand more than a sporting chance

J. R. Shridharan

EducationPlus If you are good at sports you might end up in a plum job

SERIOUS BUSINESS: Sports and games can offer much more than entertainment and exercise. They might even fetch you a job. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Nowadays, sports and games are no longer a pastime for youngsters. Thanks to the unprecedented media focus on the exploits of sportspersons on the field and the subsequent overwhelming patronage by the institutions, corporate sector and State and Central Governments, modern day youth foresee bright careers in sports and games and seek to take up the activity with all the seriousness it deserves.

In fact, modern-day sportspersons are playing the role of image builders for organisations that employ them.

Adding to the euphoria are committed parents, who have realised that sports and games can offer a lot to their wards, provided they concentrate and achieve laurels with single-minded devotion.

Double delight

Says S.M. Sultan, joint secretary of Table Tennis Federation of India: "There are so many incidents, where talented players went on to enrol in professional courses like medicine and engineering. Paddlers (read table tennis players) like Bhanusree and Chandrachud secured their medicine seats thanks to their stupendous performance in TT. Mind you, they did not get any rank in EAMCET," he points out. Quite recently, Indian Railways has recruited Andhra Pradesh paddlers Srilakshmi, Naganalini and Revathy. "They are not even graduates," he adds.

Krishna District Sports Development Officer B. Sudhakar says that awe-inspiring support by public sector giants like Indian Railways, Indian Airlines, nationalised banks, several oil companies and Customs and Income Tax Department has paved the way for more youngsters to take up sports and games seriously.

"For any sportsperson, getting employment is important. The role played by public sector giants is laudable, as they not only create job opportunities for talented players but provide congenial atmosphere for them to hone their skills too, so as to achieve more glory for their institutions and the country," Mr. Sudhakar explains.

According to Mr. Sultan, it is only in sports and games that awards like Arjuna and Rajiv Khel Ratna gets bestowed. "Can an IPS officer or an IAS officer bag these awards? It is a privilege reserved for sportspersons alone," he says.

The formation of Petroleum Sports Control Board, Banks Sports Control Board and Railways Sports Control Board has come as a boon to talented players.

Prestigious tourneys

"All-India inter-institutional tournaments are prestigious tourneys, as the cream of national talent participates in them. Emerging winners enhance the image of their institution and many players take it as a matter of pride to represent their institutions. The role of Life Insurance Corporation, Postal Department and Bharat Sanchar Nigham Limited is also appreciable, as they too are providing jobs to talented players of both genders," Mr. Sultan details.

Mr. Sudhakar points out that some players like former All-England badminton champion Pullela Gopichand, International shuttler Chetan Anand, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sharat Kamal have been placed in much higher positions compared to professionals with academic excellence. "This is just one example to explain how rewarding it is to pursue sports and games with dedication." Besides public sector, corporate sector too has pitched in to offer a helping hand to talented sportspersons. Former Andhra Pradesh Chess Association secretary V.R. Bobba says many chess players have been able to get lucrative jobs due to their performance in State, national and international levels. "The selection is based on ELO rating conferred on players by the international federation. A selection tournament is held for the applicants to select the right candidate for the jobs. Indian Railways, Oil and Natural Gas Commission, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, nationalised banks and LIC are offering jobs to proven chess players," he points out.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Canal-displaced farmers seek fair deal in A.P.
Two policemen hurt in landmine blasts in A.P.
Stand more than a sporting chance
Workshop on teaching, learning
Osmania University brings commerce course up to date
Pharmacy meets management
A `stay' order from Britain
Grab a plum project
Disaster response force to be formed
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu