Games people play

A rare phenomenon; it happens maybe once in a century. Once in your life. An athlete transcends time and space. Sparks our sense of wonder with masterpiece moves.

The absolute pinnacle of perfection. Like some superb meteor in magnificent glow, eclipsing all that was, he quickens the very soul of the game.

Where do you start if you want to make a career in sports? What opportunities does your favourite game hold? What are the traits of a good sports professional? What can you do now to play your best?

For something that began as a hobby or a pastime, sport has come a long way in the modern age. It is no longer the privilege of the classes. Sport has reached every corner of the world. Millions take it up now as a profession and earn more than a normal person dreams of making in a lifetime.

In the UAE, sports and games have always been considered more of a hobby than a career - so much is the pressure to perform in academics.

However, with growing awareness and media attention various sports are turning into lucrative career options. Coupled with an increase in the number of international events, there is a greater requirement for talented sportspeople to represent the country.

The UAE Government is sparing no effort in developing sports facilities that compare favourably with international standards.

Those taking up sports also benefit from scholarships provided by the government, sponsorships by big companies, endorsements, television campaigns and awards.

Agreed, a sportsperson's active career span might be short, but even retired sportspeople now follow interesting and rewarding careers either as coach, umpire, teacher, columnist, media expert or consultant.

If sport has been the strong point in your school life, you should give some serious thought about taking it up professionally.

Sport is not just about competing for victory or personal satisfaction. Any sport is life's biggest canvas - a spectacle of such grandeur that it can freeze a nation in its steps, a form of art so powerful that it transcends race, religion, creed and gender.

And a sportsman is the biggest hero of this spectacle. His life is a culmination of all that is superlative - glory, fame, passion, money, success, honour, pride and, above all, self-satisfaction.

A career in sport is therefore also about basking in success. Millions of fans wait to get a glimpse, every newspaper or TV channel is eager for interviews. A successful sportsperson is often one of the country's biggest treasures.

Is a career in sports for you?

Answer these questions first.

Do you aspire to be the first Arab to win a tennis grand slam? Do you dream of breaking records in Formula 1? Being the youngest cricketer to score 10,000 runs or take 1,000 wickets?

If you think along these lines, and have the skill to back your dreams, then a career in sports can be for you.

What does it take to be a sportsperson?
The primary prerequisite is, of course, a keen interest in sports and games. It is also vital to be disciplined, highly competitive and aggressive - to a certain extent.

The writer is the head of the Dubai branch of Career Launcher, one of India's largest education companies