People in India are very emotionally connected with sports and the craze for Cricket and Football hold the maximum leverage as compared to other sports. An Athlete who is also known as Sportsperson is a professional who competes in sports involving physical strength. They practice to develop and improve their skills and also maintain their sports equipment in good condition. There are different kinds of sports such as badminton, baseball, tennis, cricket, boxer, etc. In India, the annual growth rate of the sports industry is expected to grow by 10.12% by 2026.
In order to be an Athlete in India, candidates can pursue various undergraduate and postgraduate Sports Management Courses from some of the top Sports management Colleges in India. Admission to these courses are done on the basis of merit as well as entrance exams such as SMAT, ITM NEST etc. The average course fee is around INR 10,000 - INR 1,50,000. There are various other certification and diploma courses available as well for pursuing short term programs.
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Candidates can start playing professionally right from their school. However, the earnings might be slow but with gradual experience one can notice the stark difference. The average salary of an Athlete is INR 5.06 LPA. Some of the top Athletes in India like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Sania Mirza, Sunil Chetteri , Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu and many more earn in crores. Athletes can also be employed as sports coordinator, Sports editor , Personal trainer etc.
Table of Content
- How to Become an Athlete: Quick Facts
- Qualifications Required to Become an Athlete
- Types of Athletes
3.1 Track racer
3.2 Footballer
3.3 Cricketer
3.4 Baseball player
5.1 How to Become an Athlete After 12th
6.1 Entrance Exams
8.1 India
8.2 Abroad
How to Become an Athlete: Quick Facts
| Industry | Sports |
| Eligibility | Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 45% or above. |
| Top Recruiters | ITW Consulting Dream Sports Decathlon Sports Interactive TCM |
| Related Industries | Media Advertising Companies Sports Management Industry Educational Institutions |
| Required Skills | Physical Energy and Stamina Energetic Physically fir Interpersonal skills Sporting spirit |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2.60 LPA |
| Highest Salary | INR 30 LPA |
Qualifications Required to Become an Athlete
To be an Athlete, no qualifications as such are required as such, but for the candidates who want to pursue it as a career, then there are certain eligibility criteria that needs to be fulfilled. Some of the main eligibility criteria is discussed below for your reference,
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with minimum aggregate of 45% or above.
- Candidates from any stream can apply for the undergraduate program. However, for applying for B.sc in Nutrition, candidates need to be from a science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- Candidates need to pursue undergraduate courses such as Bachelor in physical education etc.
- candidates are required to be within 17-21 years of age for pursuing graduation in this field.
- In order to pursue post graduation, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized board.
Types of Athletes
Considering the various types of sports that are played across both state, national and international level, there are Athletes as well who are associated with each of them. The different types of Athlete roles available are tabulated below.
Track Racer
| Definition | Track runner is a professional athlete who runs on an artificial rubber track that is specifically designed for track racing. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 1.6 LPA |
Footballer
| Definition | Footballers are professional athletes who play football and usually master any of the four traditional specialties of football like goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 5.06 LPA |
Cricketer
| Definition | A cricketer is a professional athlete who plays cricket that is a bat-and-ball game involving two teams with 11 players in each team. It involves three main specialities- batting, bowling and fielding. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 6.34 LPA |
Baseball player
| Definition | A baseball player is a professional athlete who plays the game of baseball involving a bat-and-ball with two teams each having 9 members. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 5.13 LPA |
Steps to Become an Athlete
Although no formal educational qualification is required for candidates aspiring to become athletes. However, the below-mentioned steps would help students to know what needs to be done to gain admission in Physical Education courses.
| Make a Decision | To be an Athlete in India , candidates are first required to make up their mind for what kind of sports they want to choose. There are several kinds of sports available. Candidates can choose their sports and start preparing for the same accordingly. |
| Complete Senior Secondary School | The candidates must complete their 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum 45% aggregate in order to get admission to colleges offering Physical Education. Candidates from any stream are eligible for undergraduate programs. This will act as a base for getting the required knowledge. |
| Prepare for Entrance Exams | Most universities except for some like Delhi University and BHU give admissions on the basis of merit. To get admission into University of Delhi, one must prepare for the entrance exams. The entrance exam can be of general knowledge as well as a physical test. |
| Earn Bachelor’s Degree | Candidates can earn a bachelor's degree if they want to be one of the officials in sports management. Candidates who are willing to be an athlete and play the sports can also take admission in the course. After getting admission, the candidates learn how to increase strength, speed, endurance, coordination, etc. |
| Getting Training | Candidates can then focus on their athletic career by getting experience and training and earning some practical knowledge about the sport. They can get an internship and learn more about the sport or attend workshops organized by the sports academy and also by the professionals. |
| Pursue Masters Degree | They can even further their knowledge by getting admission into a Master’s course. Admission to the Master's course is also done through merit for which the candidate must have 55% aggregate in graduation from a recognized university and minimum 2 years of sporting experience. |
How to Become an Athlete in India
To be an Athlete in India, candidates should have passion to be one. Depending upon their area of interest, candidates must choose their sports and start practicing at school level only. Although there are educational requirements as such but for those who want to be a Sports teacher, coach etc. they are required to pursue courses. In India, there are a number of undergraduate or postgraduate courses available such as Bachelor of Physical Education , Bachelor of sports management and many more. Candidates can also choose to pursue various diploma or certification courses for the development of skills.
School Level Preparation: In order to become an Athlete the steps that are to be followed are mentioned
- Candidates must preparation at school level by taking part in sports activities
- It would be an added advantage for the candidate to play in inter school level competitions
- Candidates must keep focus on their diet to increase their strength and stamina
- Candidates must take coaching by personal coach or join a sports academy for their chosen sports.
How to Become an Athlete After 12th
Undergraduate Preparations: Some of the most crucial steps that must be followed in order to be an Athlete are as follows:
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 with minimum aggregate of 45% or above from a recognized board
- It is not necessary from which stream the candidates should pass 10+2 but for some courses physics, chemistry and Biology at compulsory subjects
- Candidates must clear the entrance exam in order to get a high ranking college in India.
- Candidates must take admission in the undergraduate courses such as bachelor is Physical education, Bachelor in Sports Management, B.Sc in Nutrition etc.
- Candidates can also along with undergraduate course take admission in NAtional Sports Academy for their choice of sports for continuing practice
- Candidates must start to play at College level to get into State level and finally to getting National level.
Post-Graduation Preparation: The key steps to be followed to become a after completing Undergraduate courses are,
- Candidates willing to pursue a masters degree in the field have to prepare for the entrance tests or any physical examination conducted by the university.
- Candidates need to choose their course according to their interest and area of specialization
- Candidates must be regular with their practice under professional coaches to learn the minute details of the sports
- There are several sports workshops organized on a regular basis for the candidates to learn and polish their skills.
Athlete Courses
Some of the top courses that can be pursued in order to become an Athlete are tabulated below for your reference.
| Parameters | Bachelor of Physical Education(B.P.Ed) | B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics | Bachelors of Sports Management (BSM) | BA Physical Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 - 4 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 45% or above. | Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above. Candidate must have physics, chemistry and biology as compulsory subjects |
Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 45% or above. | Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognized institute with a minimum aggregate of 45% or above. |
| Top Colleges | Lovely Professional University Jalandhar University Banaras Hindu University Chandigarh University |
Chandigarh University Lovely Professional University Mount Carmel College Andhra University |
IISM Mumbai George College MAKAUT College Mumbai University |
Jadavpur University Scottish church College DAV College Chandigarh University |
| Entrance Exams | BHU UET ITM NEST LPU NEST |
JET NPAT BHU UET SUAT |
SMAT | BHU UET DUET |
| Average course fees | INR 10,000 - 60,000 | INR 50,000 - 2.50 L | INR 1.70 L - 5 LPA | INR 2000 - 1.50 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 2.50 L - 5 LPA. | INR 3 L - 7 LPA | INR 2.50 L - 5 LPA | INR 4 L - 6 LPA |
How to Become an Athlete Abroad
Sports is considered to be a very respectable profession not only in India but also abroad. Today there are a number of courses available abroad as the future prospects are very bright. Countries like the UK, USA, Canada and Australia are major countries which the candidate opt for to pursue the profession. But the eligibility criteria might differ from country to country. Some of the common eligibility criteria are mentioned below for your reference.
- Candidates are required to meet general standards to pursue a physical education program .
- Candidates are required to appear for English Proficiency Tests such as TOEFL or IELTS in order to get admission in the university
- Candidates must score a minimum of 75 in TOEFL and 5.5 in IELTS respectively.
- Candidates are required to present letter of Recommendation (if applicable)
- Candidates are required to submit their financial proofs.
- Candidates must also submit Statement of Purpose (SOP) specifying their area of interest along with their achievements etc,
Top Sports Colleges
Over the past few years, India has been home to Four State Universities dedicated fully and exclusively for sports and physical education. There are new sports universities setting up in various states such as Delhi, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Haryana. These are the top states in India from which most of the present and top athletes are. Some of the top physical education colleges are Mumbai University, Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University etc.Apart from India, there are several universities abroad who offer sports courses.
Discussed below are some of the top colleges in India as well as abroad for your future reference,
India
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | 3680 |
| George Group of Colleges | West Bengal | 76,300 |
| International Institute of Sports Management | Maharashtra | 7.03 L |
| National Academy of Sports management | Rajasthan | 2.06 L |
| National Academy of Sports management | Gujarat | 2.67 L |
| Devbhoomi Group of Institutions | Uttarakhand | 34,000 |
| National Academy of Sports management | Uttar pradesh | 3.11 L |
| Syamaprasad institute of technology and management | West Bengal | 1.22 L |
Abroad
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | United Kingdom | 12.92 L |
| Durham University | United Kingdom | 23.30 L |
| Loughborough University | United Kingdom | 26.11 L |
| Coventry University | United Kingdom | 15.67 L |
| University of Michigan | United States of America | 10.88 L |
| University of Florida | United States of America | 21.36 L |
| University of Connecticut | United States of America | 22.46 L |
| Cape Breton University | Canada | 30.50 L |
| Durham College | Canada | 15.88 L |
| University of Queensland | Australia | 25.10 L |
| The University of Sydney | Australia | 28.30 L |
Sports Industry
Sports industry in the country has grown significantly in the past years. This has been probably because India has produced many successful athletes that has motivated many individuals to follow their passion for sports. Earlier, people used to be hesitant to follow their passion but now seeing many people achieve success in their respective fields, they are motivated to step into sports and pursue it as a career.
According to Statista, “ Total revenue in the sports segment is expected to reach US$ 5.11 Million in 2023 and the annual growth rate is expected to be 10.12 % from the year 2023 to 2026 and the projected market value is US$ 7.51 million by 2026. According to Livemint, “ India is also one of the largest manufacturers of sports equipment in Asia after China and Japan and the sports market was around $4.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow by $ 6.6 Billion by 2027.
Skills Required to become an Athlete
Athletics is a field that requires a lot of physical strength and stamina. In this field, the aspirant’s own set of skills play an important part in determining the success of the aspirant. Some of the most important set of skills that are required to become an athlete have been mentioned below:
| Physical agility | Stamina | Flexibility |
| Speed | Coordination | Cardiorespiratory endurance |
| Discipline | Teamwork | Ability to handle pressure |
Pros & Cons of Becoming an Athlete
Every profession comes with its own share of positives and negatives. Similarly Athletes too have certain benefits as well as certain drawbacks associated, that are listed below for your reference.
Pros of Becoming an Athlete
- Performance and health- Athletes have to live a very healthy life to maintain their high level of performance and to be able to play for a long time. They have to continuously monitor their diet and lifestyle to stay healthy and fit for the long time. They have to take the diet specially curated by their personal coaches so that it does not hamper their lifestyle.
- Chance to travel- Professional athletes get a chance to visit various places all over the world as participants to various competitions when representing the country at an international level. This also gives them a chance to meet athletes from different countries and cultures.
- Money- If athletes become successful in their careers, they get a chance to earn a lot of money playing different competitions. Additional monetary benefits are given to those who earn medals for the country. Some of the Athletes even get offered a high post in government services. So monetary benefits come as a package for an athlete.
Cons of Becoming an Athlete
- Injuries- Since athletes are physically very active, their susceptibility to physical injuries increases. Many of the athletes are prone to injuries which could even lead to major surgeries as well.
- Pressure- Being athletes, there is constant pressure on them to keep performing well. They have to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid alcohol and junk food to stay fit.
- Instability- It is not necessary that all athletes always succeed in their endeavors. Moreover, they may or may not get a chance to play. Therefore, athletics is an unstable career with success not guaranteed.
Top Recruiters for Athletes
There are many sports companies that promote upcoming players in their sports endeavors by promoting them, giving them platforms to express themselves and sponsoring their training period. There are some of the top firms looking for athletes to represent them .Some of these sports companies have been tabulated below.
| IMG Reliance | Sporty Solutionz | Baseline Ventures |
| Rhiti Sports | Procam International | JSW Sports |
| Sportz Village | IOS Sports and Entertainment | Sportz Interactive |
| ITW Consulting | SportzLive | Frontfoot Sports |
Salary of an Athlete
According to Salary Expert, the average salary of a professional athlete is INR 5.06 LPA. However, the salary is also dependent on the sports, location, skills etc. In India, the highest paid sports are Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Badminton. The salary is also dependent on experience. Greater the experience, greater will be the salary. Discussed below is the salary of an Athlete according to their specializations.
| Specializations | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Sports Editor | 3.22 L |
| Personal Trainer | 4.13 L |
| Football Coach | 2.90 L |
| Sports Psychologist | 5.89 L |
| Sports Physician | 4.80 L |
How to Become an Athlete: FAQs
Ques. Who are Athletes?
Ans. Athletes are people who are training or are trained to compete in one or more sports that require the person to be physically strong, active and energetic.
Ques. What are the options after completing a course to become an Athlete?
Ans. The career options after completing a course to become an Athlete are:
- Track racer
- Badminton player
- Footballer
- Cricketer
Ques. What is the salary of an Athlete?
Ans. The average salary of an Athlete in India is around INR 5.10 LPA and can go upto in crores.
Ques. What are the Skills required to be an Athlete?
Ans. The main skills required to be a successful Athletes are:
- Physical agility
- Motivation
- Dedication
- Communication
Ques. How many years does it take to be an Athlete?
Ans. The number of years it takes to be an athlete depends on how early the aspirant starts training. Usually it takes around 8-10 years to become a professional athlete.
Ques. What is the highest salary of an Athlete?
Ans. According to Glassdoor, the highest salary of an Athlete can go in crores
Ques. How many semesters are there in B.A. in Physical Education?
Ans. BA Physical Education is a 3 year undergraduate course divided into 6 semesters.
Ques. What entrance should an Physical Education aspirant take?
Ans. Most Physical Education colleges accept direct admissions but candidates aspiring to study in Delhi University have to give an entrance exam called CUET.
Ques. Is an Athlete a good job?
Ans. Yes, being an athlete is a very reputed profession because it requires a lot of dedication and hardwork to become an athlete. Moreover, becoming an athlete is also a very risky profession because not every trainee can become an athlete. So if someone succeeds in becoming one, it is seen as a very reputable position.
Ques. Do Athletes have a scope in the Government sector?
Ans. Yes. Through sports quota, candidates can be eligible for government jobs where they can work as well as play simultaneously.
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