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SPORTS For years sport was considered a recreational activity, or at best a hobby. Even those who pursued state and national level honors did so more for the love of the sport, than as a deliberate professional pursuit. Prize money was limited and few could take out a living from the sports field. However, with more money coming into sport, those with potential and talent can now consider a sporting career. Sponsorships, scholarships, prize money, contracts endorsements, revenue from TV telecasts and awards have all boosted the prospects for careers in sport. As in the other areas there is stiff competition in this field but it nevertheless has much to offer to the talented and trained sports person. There are also a limited number of sports that provide the financial support that enables talented players to earn a living. While the gender gap is narrowing in other professional fields, in sports, women are still assumed to be less talented than men. Men's events are more prestigious and carry higher prize money than those of women. The media too takes little notice of women's sporting achievements. Although the situation is improving in sports like tennis, women still have a long way to go before making it professional in the sports, field. The Work
A career in sports can cover one of the three following areas, although many sportsmen combine two or more: ˇ Players, or participants who play in a professional capacity. ˇ Umpires, coaches and physical education teachers. ˇ Administrators and officials. The player's career ends the earliest, generally around 35-40 years. Many players extend their careers by becoming coaches, or administrators. Selection Scheme
Strong competitive urge and will to win, high level of physical fitness, mental and physical stamina, resilience and self-discipline, and single-mindedness is needed most. Those with talent would have been spotted well before they leave school. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has initiated several schemes to spot latent talent, and to provide facilities for nurturing them. Financial support is crucial for nurturing a sporting career. A nutritious diet, suitable sportswear and gear and general psychological security depend on sound finances. The SAI scheme aims to provide these facilities to talented youngsters throughout the country. National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) Scheme School children endowed with natural motor qualities and physical growth between 9-12 years of age with a special talent in any of ten identified Olympic disciplines-athletics, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, table tennis, football, volleyball and wrestling are selected through talent contests held at the taluka, district and regional levels. To qualify, the candidate must meet the standards of the SAI's battery of tests to check agility, endurance, strength, balance and skill specific to a particular sport. Those boys and girls who are selected under this scheme are admitted into fifty-six schools adopted by the SAI for continuing their education as well as sports training. SAI meets actual expenses on board and lodging, admission to the school, tuition fee, school uniforms, books sports kit, medical insurance and traveling allowance to the child and escort for all children admitted under this scheme Parents are only expected to provide pocket money, and expenses on toiletries and private clothes. The selected schools are provided with financial assistance for creating, improving and maintaining sports facilities, and for appointing a coach for each discipline Regular evaluation of the student's sports performance is conducted and those unable to fulfill the norms are weeded out of the scheme. Sports Hostel Scheme Talented children between 16-20 years, who have been able to meet the sports performance criterion of the NSTC scheme, are selected for admission to the SAI Hostel Scheme. Those spotted through various state/national championships organized by the Sports Federations are also selected for the SAI Hostel Scheme. Here they are provided coaching, training and nutritional support to enable them to compete effectively in state and national level competitive events. Special Area Games Scheme Sports talent is identified among regional populations known for positive genetic, physical and geographical traits that could be used to advantage in specific sports events. Candidates who qualify are admitted to various SAG centers where they are provided long-term training on scientific lines. They are scouted under the following protects: archery, shooting, athletics, water sports, gymnastics, contact sports (judo, boxing, wrestling), football, cycling, hockey, fencing, height-related projects (for volleyball, basketball, athletics). Thus tribals as also those living in remote and interior areas are given the opportunity to make a career in sports. The entire expenditure on the scheme, including pocket allowance of Rs 200/- per month is borne by SAI. Boy Sports Companies in the Army These have been started in seventeen different Regimental Training Centers of the army. Boys below 14 years of age are scouted for talent from the neighboring rural, tribal and semi-urban belts. The selected boys join regimental schools affiliated to the CBSE. The emphasis in their training is mainly on sports specialization along with basic education and military training. On completing 16 years of age, the boys are enrolled as soldiers in the army. If they show a commendable performance in junior national teams or service teams, the boys are entitled to direct recruitment as `havaldars' in the army. Private Sponsorships Sports such as cricket and tennis are able to attract private sponsorships, and sizable amounts of prize money. State administered tennis and cricket associations and private coaching clubs train promising youngsters. Private sponsorships of golf, billiards and snooker, yachting, and equestrian events have improved the chances for sportspersons in this field. The SAI has also set up six regional centers for sports in the country with training facilities of international standards. In these sports complexes and coaching camps, regular training is given in various sports disciplines. There are nominal charges for using these facilities. Apart from the above-mentioned facilities and schemes, the federations and associations of individual sports offer additional advantages. Certain associations have instituted special academies, which are sponsored by private firms etc. As in the case of the Tennis Association, sportsmen of high caliber are chosen to become members of the academy. These few select sportsmen are provided with excellent coaching and all their costs, including boarding and lodging are taken care of. Training
There are two national schemes for training coaches. Under the National Coaching Scheme trained coaches are made available for the various SAI sporting schemes and for conducting coaching camps. The National Institute of Sports, Patiala, conducts diploma courses for coaches in different sports disciplines for physical education and R&D in sports science, and sports medicine. The Laxmibai National College of Physical Education at Gwalior and at Thiruvanthapuram, conducts Bachelor's and Master's degree courses in physical education and research projects in sports. COACHES AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS There are coaches and physical education instructors for various sports at different levels from school teams and sports clubs to national teams. Most coaches are full-time professionals trained in their specialized fields. But even those that are not, need to have great technical expertise and an ability to get the best from players. Career Prospects
Trained coaches are in demand at all the training centers set up by SAI and by state and central sports bodies. Coaches can also find openings in sports clubs, schools and colleges and as in-house coaches for corporate sports teams. Administrative There are several sports organizations that promote and monitor sporting activities in the country. The Sports Authority of India is a national organization Sports financed by the Government of India for promotion of sports in the country. There are National Sports Federations for individual disciplines and sports associations. Remuneration
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry of Human Resource Development has instituted scholarships for students of secondary schools/colleges/university, selected for excellence in sports at the state or national levels. Secondary school students must be 17 years of age at the time of application for scholarships, which is renewable up to the age of 18. The value of a scholarship for those who have qualified in a national sports event is Rs 2,700 p.a; and that for qualifying at the state level is Rs 1800 p.a. The Department also bestows awards for exceptional performances in international sports events. To mention a few special awards of the department, the gold, silver and bronze medal winners at the Olympics and official world championships are given Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively in individual events. In team events, each member of the team receives at least 50 per cent of the amount mentioned above for corresponding individual events. In the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, winners of the gold, silver and bronze medals are entitled to Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively in the individual events. Similarly, special awards have been instituted for billiards and snooker as well as for chess. The winner and runner-up in the World Amateur Championship in billiards and snooker are entitled to Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively. Those achieving a first, second and third position in Amateur Asian/Commonwealth Championships receive Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. While the prize money for individual events in chess in the Asian and Commonwealth Championships is the same as for billiards and snooker, that for the winner and losing finalist in the Official Open World Championships is Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh respectively. Chess players winning the titles of the stakes of the International Grand Master and International Master receive Rs 2 lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively. Junior sportspersons winning the gold, silver and bronze medals in the world championships are awarded Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000, and Rs 7,000 respectively. In the Asian and Commonwealth Championships the first, second and third position holders receive Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. Coaches who have groomed medal winners in the Olympics and Asian Games receive 30 per cent of the highest amount bagged by any one of that coach's trainees for the individual events. In team events, the coach receives 50 per cent of the amount granted to a member of the winning team. Those who have earned sports scholarship can apply for admission to both professional and non-professional college courses under the sports quota. At a later stage, sports persons can avail of the sports quota to acquire a job, although it is limited to admission in the clerical grade, in various government and private concerns (like Central Industrial Security Force, Border Security Force, the railways, Income Tax Department, Customs and Central Excise Department, Post and Telecommunications Department, Police Department, the army, and some banks). Institutions
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