Sports
A career in sports, barring cricket perhaps, was unthinkable till a few years back. Any sport was taken as a recreational activity or at the most as a hobby. But thanks to success of Sachin Tendulkar, Leander Paes, Vishwanath Anand and likes in the international circuit, sports has become a very attractive career option especially for those who have the natural talent and the grit to make a success out of it. Growing fetish for physical fitness and mushrooming of sports channels in the Television have also contributed in making sports attractive to youngsters as a career option. The prestige and the glamour apart, sportspersons, at least in games like tennis, cricket, football, boxing and athletics, are among the best paid professionals in the world.

The Government on its part has also done its bit to make sports an attractive career for the deserving. Vacancies, in various sports disciplines, are reserved for sportspersons in Public Sector Companies, Railways Nationalized Banks etc. Large corporate houses like Tatas and Mahindras also recruit sportspersons. Other than providing job opportunities, Government also gives scholarships, in various disciplines to young boys and girls who are talented and deserving. Organization like Sports Authority of India (SAI) has initiated several schemes to spot hidden talent among youngsters and provide them with facilities to develop their talent. However, like in other professions, there is strong competition in this field also but nevertheless it has much to offer to the talented and trained sports person.

Natural talent and dedication are two of the main attributes required to make a successful sport person- be it a player or a coach. One, in addition should have the enthusiasm for the game, a sporting spirit and mental and physical stamina. Coaches and Physical Education Instructors also need to have good communication skills and ability to motivate. Career in sports can be broadly categorised into three areas viz.,

Professional/Amateur players
Umpires/referees, coaches and physical education teachers
Administrators and officials

Many players combine two of the above areas together, while some, after their career as an active sportsperson is over, become coaches or administrators. Related areas are sports medicine, sports journalism, leisure and adventure sports, fitness and health etc.

Education Qualification:
Talent is the most important requirement though the coaches and the physical instructors need to have professional qualifications also. Details are given against respective position.