A career in sports is fabulous and lucrative and is something most young boys and girls fantasize about. Young kids grow up watching sportspeople and their games on TV and on the internet, and these sports personalities soon become role models for them in their lives.
Having a sportsperson as a role model usually leads to such young kids following sports as a passion and, in some cases, even their careers. A sports career in India, however lucrative and exotic it is, is quite difficult to achieve in reality.
India is a large country with over a billion people residing in it. Opportunities are rarely available, and even if they are, some disparity is observed as they trickle down the various layers of class, caste and other social barriers.
Often, sports people end up not receiving fair opportunities because of these issues in Indian Society. The modern Indian Government and the sports authority are working on these issues, and private companies are coming up with various ways to support young and upcoming sports enthusiasts and players.
Sports and Sports Careers in India
India is a land of vast opportunities. Although with a crippling population, this country is known to welcome all kinds of people – travelers, tourists, traders, people seeking jobs, residences, education and other such options. When it comes to sports, there is high respect and regard for the industry as such.
Indians pray and worship sportspersons who have achieved something for the country. There is great recognition and respect for sports people in India when they return victorious from various leagues, championships, meet and other events. But when it comes to making more sports people by giving opportunities, training and mentorship, somehow the system is lagging.
Many sports people who have achieved something big in India hail from smaller villages. They battle through so many failures and lack facilities such as proper training, mentoring, opportunities to compete or even basic infrastructure to practice their skills. Even though these issues are voiced occasionally, there are very limited steps taken toward this cause.
When sportspersons make it big in their career and win accolades worldwide, they are celebrated and worshipped, but those who fail or do not even get a chance to appear for such events are most often forgotten.
Given good training, mentorship and equal opportunity, more people would be able to take up valuable chances and may win more names and fame for themselves and the country.
Because of these disparities and lack of options, most sports persons are never able to leave a mark in this field. Fear of failing, fear of not being recognized or fear of being shunned away from excellent opportunities and to achieve greatness.
Developments in the Sports Industry
Many private companies have taken it upon themselves to help sports people realize their dreams by sponsoring young sports persons from the beginning, providing them with training, equipment, infrastructure and mentorship so that they may become the person that they dreamed of.
Sports apps, websites and forums are being developed to help young sportspeople find the right opportunities. Even mentors benefit from such opportunities as they get to train young sportspersons from the beginning and impart their knowledge and values. This way, retired sports persons and beneficiaries help the cause of moving things ahead in the sports industry in India today.
