Is a Sports Career Only for the Rich? Finding Viable Paths Beyond the Playing Field
A statement in TOI today by national badminton coach P Gopichand highlighted a harsh reality: less than 1% of aspiring athletes achieve financial success in their sport. This leaves many disillusioned and struggling, raising critical questions about the future of sports as a career. Is sports only accessible to the wealthy or those facing extreme poverty (who may see it as a path to basic needs)? Should young athletes abandon their dreams? And how can a 13- or 14-year-old realistically predict their chances of “making it big”?
These are complex issues, and at Jeevan Pravaas, we’re dedicated to supporting individuals pursuing non-traditional and unstructured careers, including sports. Even with immense potential, an injury can derail an athletic career at any moment. Furthermore, the window for active competition typically closes around age 30-35. What happens then?
We believe in empowering young athletes to explore their strengths and identify viable alternative career paths, ideally connected to their passion for sports. Our approach involves helping them understand their interests, abilities, and available opportunities, creating a dual-track strategy where they can pursue their sporting dreams while simultaneously preparing for a fulfilling fall back career.
- Management: Sports/Event/Player Management
- Media & Communication: Sports Journalism, Commentator, Sports Analyst, Social Media Manager, Influencer, photo / videographer, sports marketing
- Operations & Logistics: Stadium Operations, Team Travel. Hospitality, Logistics
- Support Roles: Strengthening Coach, Nutritionist, Physiotherapist, Fundraising, Sports Law, Sports medicine, sports equipment design / manufacturing
This list is far from exhaustive. The key is for young athletes to identify a suitable path early on and begin acquiring the necessary degrees, skills, and experience alongside their athletic training. This proactive approach allows them to stay connected to the sports world, maintain a passion for their sport, and build a foundation for a stable and fulfilling future, regardless of their competitive outcomes. It’s about creating a win-win scenario, where they can chase their dreams on the field while securing their future off it.