The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Sport’s Career in India
My grandfather’s stories of playing football in his small village, Palampur, were always so different from my reality that I often get awestruck. The bustling village street with a makeshift goalpost made of bricks and stone, and the so-called “ball” with which they played was usually a bundle of rags, and the game itself was pure chaos with no fixed rules, just a wild scramble for the ball. For his parents, football was a foolish distraction from the serious business of life. “Go play outside, but only after you finish your homework,” they’d often scream. “Academics are the only ticket to a secure future.” They believed a career was a straight line: good grades, an engineering degree, and then a government job. The idea of choosing sports as a career was seen as a fantasy and a brave decision, and anyone who spent too much time on the field was viewed with a mixture of pity and disapproval.
Back then, sports infrastructure was a myth. There were no manicured pitches, no professional coaches, and certainly no physiotherapists to help with a sprained ankle. The options available in front of a child as acceptable career paths were as narrow as the goalposts my grandfather used. Wherein you either made it as a top player in a handful of state-level teams, or you had no future in the sports arena. The journeys of legends like Bhaichung Bhutia, while inspiring, were a testament to the immense personal and societal struggle required to succeed with minimal or no support.
But thankfully, my story is completely different. When I look at the field near my house, I don’t see a dusty alley. I see a mini-turf, with professional coaches shouting instructions from the sidelines. My parents don’t scold me for spending hours at practice; they’re the ones who time and again encourage me to watch the video analysis of my last game and remind me to stick to my specialized diet as suggested by my coaches. Thanks to the rise of commercial leagues like the Indian Super League, my dream of taking football as a profession is no longer a fantasy; it’s a much real and tangible plan. My heroes are no longer just the star players performing on the field. I also admire the sports journalist whose insightful articles I read, the physiotherapist who got my teammate back on his feet after a major injury, and the data analyst who helps our coach strategize our next game. I see corporations and brands now widely sponsoring these professionals, making these roles not only accessible but also financially rewarding.
My coach often told us about the legendary Sunil Chhetri’s journey. His struggles made me understand that a great footballer isn’t just about scoring goals. It’s about mental toughness and the innate ability to always keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. It taught me resilience, teamwork, discipline, to accept failure, and to come back even stronger.
Also, in today’s time, the government has become our biggest cheerleader. Especially with initiatives like “Khelo India,” more funds are being poured into building state-of-the-art facilities and nurturing talent from the grassroots. Notably, the ‘National Sports Governance Bill’ (2025) is a testament to this, aiming for greater transparency to ensure that we all have the best possible support.
Undeniably, I feel that my grandfather’s playtime was a joyful escape, a momentary break from a predetermined life already set by his parents. But today my playtime, with the existential external support, is the beginning of my career. The dusty alley from my grandpa’s childhood narratives has now transformed into a well-lit stadium, and the rag ball has become the promise of a brighter future. The passion for the game is still the same, but the game itself has changed. It’s a journey from playtime to a viable and fulfilling payday, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.
So, my friends, now that the opportunities are endless and the support system is backing us more than ever, what’s the new chapter you deem to write in the story of the sports arena, and what does the future of the beautiful game look like for you?”