Hit the deck
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Talent and sports go hand in hand. Natural talent coupled with hard work goes a long way in attaining success in sports as a career option.
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Photo: K. Pichumani
A BIG LEAP INTO FUTURE: Sports arena throws up rewards, fame and employment. All one needs is to have right aptitude and sheer hard work.
THERE ARE many youngsters who may have natural talents. However, due to lack of time, facilities and encouragement, most of them fail to fulfil their potential, more so in sports. It is true that in India sports as a career does not have the same scope as it has in Europe or America.Nevertheless for those who are determined to continue in sports and use his or her talent to gain employment and rewards, there are ways and means of reaching that goal. If a person has attained a certain level of success in any sport, he or she would do well to consider finding employment in organisations which give due importance to sports.
At present the main employers of sportspersons are railways, defence services and State and Central Government bodies. Public sector petroleum companies, too, recruit sportspersons under the sports quota. The job responsibilities within the organisation are dependent upon the educational qualifications of the individual.
Rlys. in the forefront
The railways has extensive facilities spread throughout the country for sportspersons to practise. The Railway Sports Promotion Board conducts inter-railway sports meets and selects teams to represent the railways in tournaments within India and abroad. Players who represent the railways and perform well can expect better perks and quicker promotions. Many of India's top athletes and other sportspersons are employed in the railways.
The Petroleum Sports Board is in charge of developing and promoting sports within their units. Most of country's best badminton and table tennis players are employed in petroleum companies and earn a good pay packet.
There was a time when the Indian Army employed most of the country's top sportsmen. A sportsperson can expect better coaching and training facilities and rewards provided he is employed in any of the wings of the defence services. Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore who won India's solitary medal in the Athens Olympics received a lot of encouragement and the fact that he was an Army officer helped him achieve his goal.
Sports-linked careers
Then, there are sports-linked careers like teaching physical education in schools and colleges or serving as a sports coach in State and national bodies after obtaining the required coaching qualifications from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) or other bodies as specified in job requirements.
Another means of earning a livelihood is to be a self-employed coach. There are many coaches who have set up sports coaching schemes on their own. But they must have a sound knowledge about all aspects and preferably should have achieved a fairly high level of performance during their playing careers.
They should also acquire knowledge of coaching through attending a course at NIS or any other recognised body.
Even if one is not interested in sports as a career, achieving success in sports could benefit one's academic pursuits. Universities have a sports quota for admissions with the order of priority depending upon the level of achievement.
Outstanding performances at the international or national level enhances the chances of admission for the candidate.
By Abhijit Sen Gupta
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