As a career, there is a lot for someone interested in sports, to unlock beyond the field. With a galore of opportunities, sports management professionals are in demand the world over
Danuska Da Gama | NT KURIOCITY
Sports — the arena where passion, sweat, and adrenaline collide — has transcended mere recreation to become a global industry. Behind every thrilling match, every record-breaking performance, live streaming, sports presentation (victory ceremony), and every championship trophy, lies a team of dedicated professionals who manage the business side of sports.
Back in the day, sports management was never heard of, but today, in the metros especially, it is sought after by youngsters. Several Goans too have ventured into this line, by sheer chance or after an opportunity came knocking at their door.
The passion for sports
Deeply passionate about sports, whether it is watching a high-stakes game or participating in local tournaments, sports has always been a central part of Priya Prakash’s life. And so, turning this passion into a profession has been nothing short of a dream come true for Prakash who is currently working with Sports Authority of Goa. Prakash’s career stints with sport include Lusofonia Games, Hockey India League, Badminton Premier League, Premier Futsal, FIFA U17 Men’s World Cup, ISL, FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and National Games Goa.
“In my role, I get to organise and oversee various sporting events, ensuring they run smoothly. This career not only excites but also allows me to make a significant impact on the sports industry in my country. It brings together the thrill of sports and the satisfaction of contributing to the growth and development of athletes and sports programs. The sense of accomplishment I feel after a well-organised event is immensely gratifying,” she says.
Peter Fernandes who works as project manager at Deloitte, (project management unit for Sports Authority of Goa for the 37th National Games) also agrees that there is no better feeling of fulfillment than to be working actively in the field of sports.
One of the better parts of working in this field is that sports events are of short duration, usually three-six months work contracts with high salaries. The workforce is usually young and one gets to build a nice network of friends and colleagues throughout the country.
Most sports events are ticketed and broadcasted events; hence there is no scope for any errors. “The planning and execution has to be on point. If you have good work ethics and are able to work under pressure with non-negotiable strict delivery deadlines, a job in the sports field is meant for you,” says Fernandes.
The sports field demands a super active mind and body. One needs to quickly adapt to working with multiple agencies engaged in execution of sports events. “The work days closer to the start of the sports event tend to be filled with long working hours. So one needs to have the patience and resilience to get through lack of sleep and uneven food eating patterns on a few occasions,” he says.
“Working for major sporting events like the Indian Super League (Football) or Indian Premier League (Cricket) also gives one an opportunity to travel to multiple cities across India, says Fernandes, adding that his friends have had opportunities to work in sports events abroad such as the FIFA World Cup, Cricket World Cup, among others.
And working closely with national and international athletes has been incredibly inspiring, says Prakash. “These athletes’ dedication, discipline, and perseverance are a motivation,” she says, adding that travelling across the country offers a unique perspective, broadening her understanding of the various cultural nuances that influence sports and community engagement in different parts of the country.
By organising events, managing teams, and supporting athletes, as a sports manager in whatever role is designated, one can contribute to the overall development of sports in the country. Suhail Pervez who works with a national sports federation, has worked in Goa for sports events. “The sports industry offers a wide range of positions, from sports marketing to athlete management, game development, and sports psychology. There’s a niche for every passion, and these roles are dynamic and exciting.”
He says that the sports community fosters connections, networking, and beneficial professional partnerships. Besides, working in sports encourages physical activity and wellness. “Even office-based roles often embrace a wellness culture,” says Pervez.
Scope in Goa
Sports management encompasses a wide range of roles. From shaping the strategies of professional sports teams to organising events and analysing performance data, there are innumerable paths within this dynamic field. These include athletic director and coach, sports analysts, in management and logistics, broadcast, marketing, and several others.
In Goa, football may be the state sport, but even though people say that the sporting culture isn’t like other places, Goa has been host to several international sporting events and nationals too, the most recent being the 37th National Games.
“One has the opportunity to work for the government departments such as the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs or Sports Authority of Goa. There are also multiple opportunities to work for sports events that take place in Goa such as the Indian Super League, FIFA events and other major events held in Goa such as the World Chess Championship and International Futsal League. There are also opportunities to work for sports associations in handling their operations and managerial duties,” explains Fernandes whose career in sports started with Lusofonia Games 2013, after which he worked with FIFA in Goa in 2015 and then with Khelo Rugby in Kolkata.
There are always professionals who can work behind the scene to ensure the event goes on smoothly. Also, if ever you’ve witnessed a state level, or a local tournament, and feel it could have been promoted or organised better — that’s exactly the role of a sports manager.
“Today, in Goa, members of the association do the running and managing. As much as they should be appreciated, the sad reality is that sometimes even if they want to hire sports managers, they don’t know of people who can do it locally. And if they do happen to know some, who bears the cost?” says a senior sports administrator in Goa.
There is scope in football as we’ve seen during ISL. We’ve loved the ISL campaign over the years, though the numbers of fans at stadiums have dwindled. There’s also water sports and adventure tourism, a heritage sports league, MMA, boxing and other sports that could utlise sports management effectively.
Challenges Ahead
While the scope is vast, sports management faces challenges like balancing budgets, adapting to technology, and ensuring ethical practices. Aspiring professionals must stay agile and passionate.
So, whether you’re drawn to the roar of the crowd or the thrill of a well-executed game plan, sports management awaits you. As the legendary Pele once said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
A career in sports management is not just a job. It is a passion-driven journey that can bring immense satisfaction and purpose.
Mahima Shetkar who recently completed her final exams in college has been volunteering in the sports field for the last three years. “I started working with the Goa Amateur Boxing Association in the field of social media and public relations. I slowly got the hang of administrative work and learned the rules of the game. For championships, I now do registrations, medal ceremonies, time-keeping and announcing. I have also tried my hand at refereeing. Working as a volunteer for boxing at the 37th National Games, gave me the chance to interact with young sports management professionals. I will now be pursuing a diploma in Pune,” she says.
Skills you need
Ethics: Strong ethical values are crucial for decision-making and maintaining integrity.
Communication: Excellent written and oral skills are essential for public relations, marketing, and team coordination.
Leadership: Effective leadership is vital for managing teams, coaches, and personnel.
Financial asset management: There is a need to understand budgets, revenue, and financial aspects of sports organisations.
Organisation and planning: This includes managing events, schedules, and logistics.
Business communication: Interaction with sponsors, partners, and brands is essential.
Time management: One has to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
Featured Events
The Goa Hiking Association is organising a State-Level Trekking and Adventure Camp from December 26 to 30 at Tamdi Surla, Dharbandora. Activities will include trekking in the Western Ghats, rock climbing, river crossing, and more. Details: 8600572050 / 9822984848 / Pramodkamat107@gmail.com. Registration deadline: December 15. (Image used for representational purposes only)
Featured Blog
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‘Rediscover Goa’ with Airbnb and experience the true beauty of the sunshine state
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Backpacking Guide: Old Goa
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Tour Goa in a helicopter!
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Goa in 48 hours – For the Adventurous
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Delightful Summer Fruits of Goa
The heat is intense but it’s the time of the year that seasonal fruits are available in plenty Seasonal fruits are popular among locals in Goa, especially during the summer. With the popularity of social media, these summer fruits are searched on Google and tracked down in the markets. This has increased demand and has caused the prices to go up. Mangoes, the king of fruits, have always been the favourite. The ‘Mankurad’ is so superior that in the Panaji market, people spent about Rs 4,000 a dozen after the mangoes came to the markets in March. The rates have stabilised but ask the elders around and they’d say, “People would give them to us for a song (free). We never had to think twice before buying Mankurad mangoes but today it’s out of the common man’s reach.” Raw mangoes are coveted too. Used for pickles, preservatives and to go along with urrack with some salt and chilli, the markets are flooded with raw mangoes. ‘Panne’ is a cooler made from raw mangoes. Fresh tender cashews (bibbe) are used in various recipes. These cashews are plucked and peeled to get tender cashews. A favourite of Goans, there’s so much joy […]
An unforgettable culinary journey
The new menu at Fortune Miramar will leave you spoilt for choice with fascinating options from cuisines around the world SHERYL GONSALVES | NT It was a day when the sun struggled to shine through the clouds. The rain beat down against my helmet and didn’t show any signs of letting up. However, even though there were partially waterlogged roads and traffic jams, there was one thing that kept me going – I was invited to try out the new menu at Fortune Miramar curated by executive chef William Dias. The new menu themed ‘Savour’ took two months to curate. Entering the Orchid restaurant in the hotel was a sight for sore eyes. The classy bright interiors were a welcoming visual contrast against the gloomy skies. My colleagues and I enjoyed the colourful mocktails brought to our table and then started digging into the Mezze Platter which had a variety of different dips like Muhammara, Hummus, Tzatziki, Olive Tapenade, Cauliflower Tartar, and Fatoush Salad. They were perfect flavour bombs with spicy and creamy notes. The crispy pita bread elevated the eating experience by providing texture. Mezze Platter We then had Malai Broccoli which was marinated in cashew cream, yoghurt, and […]
The marigold man of Goa
With a deep understanding of agriculture and a desire to bring locally grown marigold flowers to the Goan community, Amona-based farmer Krishna Sinari has embarked on the high-tech venture of marigold farming. RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT Inspired by the need for locally grown marigold flowers, Krishna Sinari, the owner of Prakriti Farm Products, has started a high-tech venture of marigold farming in a 3,000-square-meter plot. With a total of 5,000 plants, his farm boasts vibrant yellow and orange marigold flowers. The inspiration behind choosing marigold flowers as the primary crop stems, he says, is that even though Goa has a suitable environment for its growth, a majority of the flowers are brought in from other places. “Marigolds are essential for Diwali celebrations. So I chose to start my own marigold production to meet the local demand,” says Sinari, who holds a diploma in agriculture and has done various courses to enhance his knowledge in the field. Currently enjoying his first marigold harvest, the next crop of flowers will be during Diwali and later for Tulsi Vivah. After that, he will move on to the next crop. Sinari has previously cultivated hybrid chillies and lady fingers and plans to explore other […]
Goa-based musician ‘Discokid’ to perform at Serendipity Arts Festival 2023
Among the eight exceptional music artists handpicked for the B-side Music Production Residency programme, ‘Discokid’, a Goa-based musician will be performing at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023. The 11-day workshop concluded in Olaulim recently and was organised by the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The eight artists namely Dzerouengmit Lepcha, Fatima Hakeen (Discokid), Lenix Lobo, Hasan Shahrukh, Govi, Ashel Unger, Rushaki Ghosh and Medhaj Dempo, delved deep into the intricacies of music production using Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation during the residency, which formally culminated on October 20. The residency was mentored by industry experts, including Jay Pei, Megha Balani, SHFT and Puneesh Suri. Fatima Hakeen aka ‘Discokid’ is a musician and producer based out of Goa and has been featured in well-known online music shows like Mixmag Goa and Worldwide FM. Over the eleven-day intensive program, the participants explored a myriad of techniques, from working with audio clips and MIDI basics to advanced production methods, honing their skills and collectively broadening their creative horizons. “Each participant brings a unique flavour to the table: from Dzerouengmit Lepcha’s soulful melodies to Discokid’s groovy beats, Lenix Lobo’s experimental sounds and Govi’s fusion of Carnatic vocals with indie and alternative genres. Hasan Shahrukh, with his expertise in […]
Glow of Epiphyllum – Brahma Kamal flowers of Goa
Recently, I came across a news story about a record-breaking bloom of 28 Brahma Kamal flowers in Goa. The spectacular sight of its prolific blossoms in the video took me on a trip down memory lane. We, too, had this beautiful plant in our garden, lovingly tended by my grandmother. Commonly referred to as ‘Bramhakamal’ in Goa and likely across the country, this plant is scientifically known as Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Belonging to the Cactaceae family, it is an exotic plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Interestingly, it has no botanical connection to the true Bramhakamal species, scientifically named Saussurea obvallata, which is found and revered in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan regions. The slight resemblance between Epiphyllum Oxypetalum and the original Bramhakamal may explain the confusion between the two. Also known as the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus or Queen of the Night, this flower truly lives up to its regal title. In our garden, this plant held a special place in my heart. Its slightly puffed, elongated leaves distinguished it from the other greenery. The celestial blooms appeared rarely, usually between July and September. One of the most unique aspects of this flower is how it unfurls its […]
Festa do Povo: Festival to Showcase Goan Heritage, Food, & Culture
The well-known community festival, Festa do Povo, returns to Panaji again, to promote Goan culture and heritage. The festival is coordinated through community involvement, with assistance from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and Imagine Panaji, along the pedestrian walkway lined with mangroves at Patto Plaza near the Spaces building. Residents from various wards in the city, who reside in heritage homes and blocks, participate in the festival’s planning. What food can you expect here? It ranges from Goan-Portuguese to Hindu Saraswat to Muslim dishes, cooked by local home chefs, Panaji restaurants, and even international chefs. The food section of the festival showcases Goa’s rich culinary diversity across various religious communities. Additionally, a special Feni bar and beverage station featuring local drinks will enhance the festive atmosphere. Day one (December 14) will feature traditional Shigmo dances and children’s craft activities curated by Bookworm, a -book store for children. Participants can enjoy a variety of performances, including the Kaustubha Ballet, the beloved Stuti Choir, the traditional dekhni dance, and enchanting melodies by the Sound of Music. On the second day, December 15, there will be brass band performances, percussion displays, and carol singing by students from Nirmala School. This […]
