Career GuidanceSign in / up<br><br><ul><li>Careers</li><li>Online Courses</li><li>Assessments</li><li>Events</li><li>Blogs</li><li>Sign in / up</li><li>Career Guidance<br><br></li></ul>Sports<br><br>Athlete<br><br><ul><li>Home </li><li>Careers</li><li>Athlete<br><br></li></ul><strong>About The Career<br><br></strong>An athlete also known as sportsman or sportswoman competes in organized sports either nationally or internationally. It requires a tremendous sense of self-discipline, dedication, willpower, skill, and high level of fitness.<br><br>An athlete can train to participate in various sporting competitions such as basketball, baseball, ice hockey, athletics, boxing, football etc. Usually, an athlete picks any one particular sport and trains intensely for it.<br><br>An athlete works with coaches, trainers, nutritionists, psychologists, physiologists, managers, and other teammates.<br><br>In case you are looking for a job in this career please note the process to apply for job<br><br>Get assistance through AI Matching for your Job Application Process on our partner platform - <strong>Jobs Matcher AI</strong>!<br><br><strong>Please Follow These Easy Steps<br><br></strong><strong>Step 1: </strong>Register and Complete Your Profile on https://jobsmatcherai.com/signup<br><br><strong>Step 2: </strong>Upload Your CV and Utilise AI / import profile data from your CV (PDF) or pasted text.<br><br><strong>Step 3:</strong> Explore AI-Matched Opportunities - see AI job suggestions directly on your profile page based on these employer matches.<br><br><strong>Step 4:</strong> Generate Your ATS-Friendly CV Preview<br><br><strong>Step 5:</strong> Complete a Comprehensive SWOT Analysis<br><br>We look forward to your participation and happy placement!<br><br><em>For any other information / guidance on jobs or to meet a counsellor contact careers@eduberance.com<br><br></em><strong><em>Explore Realise and Achieve Your True Potential<br><br></em></strong><strong><em>Let's dive back to the career details<br><br></em></strong>Starting salary<br><br>10000<br><br>Career Details<br><br><strong>What You Need To Know About This Career Option<br><br></strong>What is the life of an athlete?<br><br>Intense training, exercising, developing physical stamina, increasing endurance levels etc. go into developing world class athletes. Coaches, trainers, team mates (in case of a team sport), all play a major role in the shaping of an athlete’s career. Oftentimes, an athlete’s individual performance, team performance is taken into account to assess their strengths and weaknesses.<br><br>A lot of time is spent practicing under the guidance of trainers and coaches. Since competition is fierce, there is uncertainty in terms of job stability. Athletes are required to train throughout the year in order to be in top physical form. There is a constant endeavor to improve game techniques and tactics and no scope for any downtime.<br><br>Since numerous people dream of making it into national and international sports teams, the competition is stiff. This makes it that much harder to become a professional athlete. Moreover, due to the nature of a sports career, a person is prone to injuries and other conditions which can render them from having a long and satisfying career. Moreover, age can play a significant role in determining the length of one’s professional career in sports. Usually, a player invests more than 40 hours per week for several months and has to spend long times away from family.<br><br>Only a handful of extremely talented and selected few earn huge salaries to the tune of crores of rupees. Others have to make do by endorsing brands of companies.<br><br>What are the most popular sports in India?<br><br><ul><li>Cricket - India being a cricket crazed nation, undoubtedly cricket is one of the most popular and loved games in India . The Indian Premier League (IPL), a professional Twenty-20 cricket competition was founded in the year 2008. It is governed by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). </li><li>Kabaddi - A traditional sport of India, it remains popular in the rural as well as urban areas of the country. The Pro Kabbadi League (KPL) was launched in 2014 and has garnered huge popularity among the masses. It is gaining immense attention even outside the country.</li><li>Football - Also known as soccer, like cricket, was introduced in India during the colonial period. Unlike cricket, football is yet to see that kind of interest and attention in India. The Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League were founded in 2013. It doesn’t believe in promotion but develops through expansion akin to the Major League Soccer of the USA.</li><li>Badminton - After cricket, it is one of the most loved and popular sports in the country. Players like Saina Nehwal, Srikanth Kadambi, and PV SIndhu have put India on the map with resounding success year after year. They rank among the world’s top players. The Premier Badminton League (PBL) had a massive viewership to the tune of 155 million a couple of years ago. </li><li>Field Hockey - Known as the national game of India, hockey has been one of the most popular sports in the country. The Hockey India League (HIL) founded in 2013, has six teams who play 10 games during a two month season followed by the play-offs. <br><br></li></ul>How to become an athlete in India?<br><br><ul><li>Choose a sport you are passionate about. For this analyze your talents and strengths, Find out about coaching facilities and the financial investment that may be required in terms of equipment or for training etc. </li><li>Get acquainted with the game. Read about the various tournaments, famous players, competitions etc. </li><li>Find out about scholarships and other merit funding schemes. For instance ‘Khelo India’ by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) offers promising young athletes a sum of Rs 5 lakhs for a period of 5 years. </li><li>Practice on a consistent basis helps develop and sharpen muscle memory. This enables the player to excel in the game. Plan a training and practice schedule with your coach. </li><li>A nutritious and balanced diet goes a long way in determining the strength and stamina of the player. A balanced diet consisting of fat-free, protein and vitamin and mineral rich food is essential. </li><li>Take part in as many competitions as possible. This will provide exposure to different formats of the game alongside training to play with different opponents. </li><li>Set short term and long term goals at district, state, national, and international levels. Speak to ex players, coaches and mentors and get their guidance and advice to up your game.<br><br></li></ul>What education qualifications are required by athletes?<br><br>Although no formal education is mandatory, a minimum of a high school diploma is recommended. That being said, many colleges do recruit sports persons in the early stage of their careers to become a professional athlete.<br><br>Also a number of Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are available in Physical Education.<br><br><strong>Sports course - Bachelor’s degree<br><br></strong><ul><li>Bachelor of Physical Education</li><li>B.Sc. In Sports Science and Nutrition</li><li>B.Sc. in Physical Education and Sports Science</li><li>B.Sc. in Sports Science</li><li>Bachelor of Sports Management<br><br></li></ul><strong> Sports Course - Master’s degree<br><br></strong><ul><li>Master of Physical Education</li><li>M.Sc. in Sports Science</li><li>MBA in Sports Management</li><li>Master of Sports Management</li><li>M.Sc. in Sports Science and Nutrition</li><li>MBA in Sports Business<br><br></li></ul><strong>Sports Courses - PG Diploma<br><br></strong><ul><li>PG DIploma in Sports Medicine</li><li>PG Diploma in Sports Science and Nutrition</li><li>PG Diploma in Sports Coaching</li><li>PG Diploma in Sports Journalism</li><li>PGDM in Sports Business</li><li>PGDM in Sports Management<br><br></li></ul><strong>Other Sports Courses<br><br></strong><ul><li>PhD in Physical Education</li><li>PhD in Sports Management<br><br></li></ul>What are the skills required to become a professional athlete?<br><br>A number of skills apart from talent is required to excel in sports.<br><br>Needless to say, stamina, physical fitness, strength, endurance are vital for any sportsperson.<br><br><ul><li> Realistic goal setting - It makes sense to keep goals realistic and measurable. This helps one to develop time-oriented and detailed plans in attaining set goals.</li><li> Communication - Communication is integral to achieving success. Be it with family, friends, teammates, coaches, trainers, managers etc. It gets easy to deal with conflicts, and helps overcome obstacles with open communication.<br><br></li></ul>What are the key mental attitudes required to become a professional athlete?<br><br>Here we focus more on the mental aptitude required for sports.<br><br><ul><li> Positive attitude - Success and failure are part of life, not just sports. Developing a positive attitude helps stay afloat and maintain balance irrespective of winning or losing.</li><li> Self-motivation - Staying motivated can be a challenge in times of adversity. Keeping the focus on the long term goal will help overcome any setbacks that occur during competitions or training.</li><li> Mental imagery - Visualisation plays a big role in achieving great feats. Mental images created should be as specific, detailed, and realistic as possible.</li><li> Deal stress and anxiety effectively - Accept failure as part of the game. Deal with stress and expectations from others effectively.</li><li> Stay focused - Determine short term as well as long term goals. Concentrate on the upcoming game/competition, prepare by reviewing the faults and mistakes and take into consideration all suggestions and advice.<br><br></li></ul>What are the top sports institutes in India?<br><br><ul><li>Mumbai University</li><li>Devbhoomi Group of institutions, Uttarakhand</li><li>International Institute of Sports Management, Maharashtra</li><li>National Academy of Sports Management, Rajasthan</li><li>National Academy of Sports Management, Gujarat</li><li>Swayamprasad Institute of Technology and Management, West bengal</li><li>George Group of Colleges, West Bengal</li><li>Gujarat University</li><li>Dhyan Chand Sports College</li><li>Lakshmibhai National Institute of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram</li><li>NCA, Bangalore<br><br></li></ul>We also need to mention Sports Authority of India here as it is a leading institute for coaching for sportspersons in India.<br><br>Who are the top recruiters of athletes?<br><br>Schools, colleges, Universities, Sports franchises, Armed Forces, Government departments such as Railways, Police etc.<br><br>Other than the above, a number of private firms and organizations too, recruit sports persons such as Sportz Village, ITW Consulting, IOS Sports and Entertainment, JSW Sports, SportzLive, Frontfoot Sports, Baseline Ventures, Rhiti Sports, IMG Reliance etc.<br><br>With many sports leagues like Pro Kabbadi, Indian Premier League, Indian Super League, Ultimate Table Tennis, Hockey India League, Tamil Nadu Premier League, Premier Badminton League, I-League , Premier Handball League, Ultimate Kho Kho, Indian Athletics League and many more, the opportunities for contracts with the various clubs who participate in the leagues have also opened up for sports persons and athletes.<br><br>What is the salary structure of a professional athlete?<br><br>Largely depending on the sport, it can vary anywhere between lakhs to few crores. Players, apart from playing the sports, also earn from advertisements, endorsing brands etc. Moreover, the salary also depends on the specializations. For instance, a Sports Editor may earn about 3 lakhs per annum whereas a Sports Psychologist may earn 6 lakhs per annum.<br><br>Salary of an athlete also depends on the company that they join. Since most companies who recruit athletes are either government organizations or semi government companies or large corporations who are looking for branding opportunities through the athletes, the salary is usually following the government norms which are as per pay commissions.<br><br>What are the pros of being a professional athlete?<br><br>Pros of being a professional athlete<br><br><ul><li>If the athletes are really good at their game and have talent, then they can earn to the tune of lakhs and crores of rupees. Moreover, if they win medals at national or international competitions they get additional prize money which is very lucrative. Also athletes are absorbed into government sectors at top positions. Additionally they are also approached by big companies to endorse their brands which pay very well. </li><li>As professional athletes, they get to travel to various parts of the world for tournaments and competitions. They get to represent their country in the world arena which is a matter of great prestige and honor. They also get to meet competitors from different countries and learn about their cultures and get an opportunity to forge friendships often lasting a lifetime.</li><li>In order to be in top form, athletes have to live a healthy lifestyle with a strict diet and exercise under the supervision of nutritionists and coaches. . This encourages them to eat healthy and exercise regularly thereby resulting in good health that will keep them fit all their life. <br><br></li></ul>What are the cons of being a professional athlete?<br><br>Cons of being a professional athlete<br><br><ul><li>There is tremendous pressure from teammates, coaches, managers, families etc. on the athlete to perform well. This can lead to undue pressure and stress causing grievous harm in terms of anxiety, sleep disturbances, physical conditions such as high blood pressure, increased sugar levels, heart diseases etc. </li><li>Injuries are inevitable in any form of sport. Due to the nature of the game, they are more prone to injuries on the field or even while practicing or training. Although they recover from the injuries, it is possible that some can be debilitating and can hamper the game or end the sporting career of an athlete. </li><li>Career in sports is usually short lived, in the sense that after a certain age they are no longer physically fit to play and may have to retire from the game. Also there is instability as they may not always be in their peak form while performing. <br><br></li></ul>Who governs / manages the athletics in India?<br><br>The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is the apex body that runs and manages the athletics body in India. It is affiliated to the World Athletics, AAA, and the Indian Olympic Association. The AFI has 32 affiliated state and institutional units.<br><br>It organizes National Championships, trains athletes for Olympics, National, Asian Games, World championships, and other international meets and competitions. It helps promote sports and popularize it among the children and the youth.<br><br>It further helps set up coaching camps, training camps, and any other initiatives in developing the sport.<br><br>How many years does it take to become a professional athlete?<br><br>It usually takes about 8-10 years largely depending on the type of sport and how early the aspirant starts training.<br><br>What can a professional athlete do after he/she retires?<br><br>After a Certain Age, Professional Athletes Retire From Their Game As They Are No Longer In Their Peak Physical Condition. A Few Common Options To Continue To Work After Retiring From Sports Are<br><br>Coach/trainer - One can teach both amateur and professional sports to new players.<br><br>Recruiter - A recruit searches for talent to play in school or at professional levels.<br><br>Fitness trainer - Helps train players in the area of fitness<br><br>Sports announcer - Be an integral part of the game while narrating the game, provide commentary and interview players<br><br>Sports journalist/ reporter - Narrate news stories about various sporting events on television, radio, online or in newspapers.<br><br>How is the career of an Athlete in India?<br><br>The sports industry has grown phenomenally in the past decade alone. Increased awareness about the various sports tournaments and competitions and the exciting career options it offers has inspired more and more students to play for the country at the national and international level.<br><br>With many successful and accomplished Indian athletes to idolize and emulate, young aspirants are keen to follow in their footsteps.<br><br>With many companies and world wide recognised brands investing hugely in sports, it has become a very lucrative career option.<br><br>The sports market is projected to grow to a whopping $6 billion by 2027 from $4 billion in 2020. China and Japan are leading manufacturers of sports equipment followed closely by India.<br><br>Eduberance is an Online Career Guidance Platform for School students. We have verified Career information with related course and institute details. 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