IF ONE were to recount memories of earlier generations, indulging (“excelling” would be an added motivation) in sports was both an imperative and matter of pride for parents. And lack of infrastructure was not necessarily a dampener as sports was a state of mind. But with the onslaught of technological innovations and subsequent gadgetization of children’s minds, it may be safe to conclude that the love for physical sports has taken a severe beating among kids and arents alike.
As per recent media reports, findings suggest the extent of “physical” damage caused to India’s future generation indicating that the increasing number of entertainment options, coupled with academic pressure has resulted in outdoor play being compromised. An abysmally low percentage (25%) of kids polled play outdoors daily. Out of the 75% who did not play outdoors, 38% kids cited parental denial as the main cause.
Kids are increasingly turning into couch potatoes and video game junkies. Though many may regard these activities as modes of relaxation for kids, and partially true too, disproportionate indulgence in these “stress busting” luxuries at the cost of physical sports & activities is not only unfair to the mind and body, but excessive in principle. Rising obesity is becoming a reality of our society, hitherto considered to be a phenomenon of the West, and a reason to worry. Such children miss out on healthy social interactions and natural stimulation, which may result in loneliness, lack of self confidence and academic performance, among other probable effects.
With increasing academic pressures and intrusion of technology in our lives through social networking sites and other digital platforms, kids are living a closet life leading to severe physical and mental problems at a young age. The next door kid’s urge for virtual addiction is reading “DANGER” in big bold letters & what’s even scarier is parents today are getting apprehensive about their little ones getting dirty in muck & mud while playing outdoors. Malls, multiplexes, Game zones & Food courts seem to be the only mode of family entertainment destination.
For the overall development of a child, however, it is essential that the kid has a sound mind and body. To ensure this therefore, adopting and ingraining sports and outdoor activities as a formal and structured subject in schools is a must. Introducing kids to sports at an early age has certain advantages. Knowledge of locomotor skills (running and hopping), manipulative and non-manipulative skills (throwing, catching and balancing), spatial awareness (awareness of self-space and boundaries) can be developed and improved through physical activities in schools.
In another study by IMRB in India, out of the total 394 schools surveyed, 70% of the schools were interested outsourcing their sports curriculum to professional third party outsourcers, who could provide appropriate sports equipment, a holistic curriculum and easily engage with kids and administer sports as a structured medium of instruction. This could involve incorporating the scientific disciplines of physiology, psychology, nutrition and diet, biomechanics and performance analysis and embracing technology to deliver a meaningful sporting experience. While this is beginning to see the light of day, we still have a myopic way of looking at this.
Not many of us seriously reckon sports as a career option. To explore this further, there are two primary avenues to a career in sports- one is a career in sports management, where one is not a sportsperson, but is entrusted with handling a sports event or facilitating a sportsperson’s career by providing him with all necessary support systems, and the other involves becoming a sportsperson and earning a livelihood through your performance in sporting events. Hence, sports as a career option now possess tremendous opportunities for growth.
For management graduates, with a degree in sports, the world has a plethora of opportunities – from beginning as an amateur player or pursue a sport to become a professional. For example, one can train to become an umpire or a referee or take up the posts of coach or a physical instructor in educational institutions. Higher on, one could work as an administrator or official in the local sports organizations, either government or private. Those with an enduring liking for sports can also juggle their primetime careers with sports. These options include becoming sports journalists, physiotherapists and sports physicians, and fitness coaches. Other areas they can branch into are adventure sports and setting-up training centers and health clubs. Sports management thus involves all the activities on and off the field that are to be performed for the success of any sporting event. Athletes, events, teams, facilities, licensed goods and sponsorship organizations are in need of highly professional management and will be keener to work with them.
However, there is still a prevailing disconnect between the Indian sports industry and the academia and hence, there exists a need to introduce formal courses in the country o churn budding sportspersons and sports managers who are exposed to the fundamentals of the sport, its management, sports marketing, advertising and sponsorship issues, spectator management, sports media and event management during their course. What is needed is the awareness of the choice of sports as a suitable career option (which needs to extend beyond the game of cricket- that enjoys a high popularity quotient) and the availability of professional expertise to build the ecosystem.
Recognizing these futuristic needs, certain organizations are emerging today that aim to address this gap. They intend to inculcate a love for the outdoors using sports as medium and provide a structured methodology to facilitate the same. These include a complete range of sports facilities management, professional sports programs, state of the art body and performance analysis, technological mapping of body growth certified and trained coaches, talent assessment for aspiring sports kids, scheduling, management, marketing and event implementation of intra-school sports and corporate events and a unique outdoor games experience.
India has ample manpower, talent and potential. All we need to do is start recognizing the role that sports can play towards building a healthy nation by introducing it at an elementary level, encouraging it and support in developing the larger ecosystem that can foster allied vocations associated with sports.
Realize that the transformation of the Indian sporting industry depends on building heroes and creating champions who would be role models of our youth.
