Thread by @docbhooshan

#Parenting
#India
#Career

I often hear parents saying - we have told him/her that if you are not great in studies, it is okay. We can make you a sportsman/businessman!

My heart sinks when I hear this.
Let's talk about the "sportsman" part of this.
#Thread i

As a child, if you want to take up any sports as a serious persuit in life, you aim for the international stage.
Being in top 5/10 in the world, Olympic medal, representing India at international level, etc.

This would be a reasonable goal for a child (less than 10yr).

Unless you have that kind of ambition / desire / 🔥 in you, professional sports is not really your thing.

One important thing that parents forget to check altogether is innate talent and level of achieved proficiency.
By the time child is 12-13-14 parents need to take a serious check on the sports career path.

A child that plays 2 hours of football in housing complex with neighbours and spends 6 hours watching you tube videos about football is in trouble if they are already 13-14 yr old.

Fact - combined chances of representing India in any one of - cricket, badminton, TT, tennis, chess, swimming, wrestling, etc.
are actually less than getting CS seat at IIT Bombay!

Yes. That's the truth. And IIT has yearly guaranteed intake!

Don't get me wrong. I am not telling you to get your kid out of sports coaching and put them for IIT garbhasanskar batch.

I am requesting you to take a reality check at 12-13 yr of age.

Playing a game seriously is great for now and for all of future. Being a sportsperson has immense benefits in personal, health, social and work domain.

But if you are looking at career in sports, then be rational.

If you are not in national under 16/18 team...

You need to look elsewhere unless your parents are loaded.

For people looking at "sports management" career (MBA in western University in the subject), triple check credentials of your advisors.

Almost everything related to professional career in areas associated with sports is combination of excellent skills, superlative hardwork, unbounded optimism, lots of luck and smartness to recognise luck as it has a habit of dressing badly.

Some characteristics that I have seen in kids who went on to play at national level -
1. Focus - they have very little interest other than their sports.
2. Motivated action - they go to extraordinary lengths to train, practice and play
3. Sacrifice - they learn "denial" early on

they stick to diet, gruelling physical training regime, exclusion for age appropriate persuits. And don't grumble about it.
4. Self starters - they need some help from parents but parent don't need to nag them for behaviour, training and motivation issues.

5. There is clear ability to feel less negative emotions, obstinate nature about getting back on feet, ability to turn anger and frustration into more hard work.
6. They are always ready to make a deal in favour of their sports.

Look for these qualities in your child.

These are natural givens of a dedicated, competitive and motivated person. Back them with all your might. They will be successful in any area of life that they choose. Sports or otherwise.