Professional sports is big business. The global sports annual market value is almost $400 billion. The cumulative sales of sportswear in India alone have grown to over Rs 9000 crore – Yes, sportswear sales alone! It would bode well for us to understand that, today, sports is no longer just the games you play as a co-curricular activity or for recreation, but a multi-billion dollar industry. The world is changing and so are the economic considerations that dictate career options. In the world of economics, every industry is inter-related and astute policy makers make balanced policies giving due importance to all fields of industry. We should understand that the growth of the sports industry also creates growth opportunities for other businesses.
Closer to home, it is common knowledge that neighbouring states like Assam, Manipur and Mizoram are producing professional sportspersons making podium finishes even at the international level. They have their own sports policies that is helping them climb the ladder of success. For instance, Mizoram has granted “industry” status to sports. Nagaland too can produce national and world champions in sporting events. There are some pointers already indicating that Nagaland is moving in the right direction as far as producing winners and champions in the field of games and sports is concerned. Last year, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, in the presence of the President of the Indian Olympic Association, unveiled the Foundation Plaque of the Nagaland Police Sports Battalion. Nagaland Cricket Association being affiliated to the BCCI is another indicator. Though cricket is just one discipline, it is the one sport that is dominating the sports market pie in India. Nagaland hosting the 56th National Cross Country Athletics Championship concurrently with the 2nd South Asian Athletics Federation Championship is another pointer. Establishment of the Regional Centre of Sporting Excellence at Chumoukedima and the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex, Dimapur, due to be inaugurated, are much needed infrastructure developments. Decent sports venues are slowly, but surely, coming up in various parts of Nagaland.
While the government is expected to institutionalize and execute well planned sports policies, it is also the duty of the main stakeholders, the citizens, to reciprocate. Individuals, groups, institutions and associations must demand the best facilities and produce the best athletes. Parents, and the society at large, should encourage our children and youth to explore the prospects of pursuing a career in professional sports. Grassroots level sporting events should be promoted. A new sporting culture should be promoted so that a new ecosystem is created to sustain and develop the local sports industry that would open a plethora of opportunities of sportspersons, sports lovers and entrepreneurs alike. Commercial activities around sports and sporting events makes big business. Moreover, a career in sports is not just limited to the sportspersons but also technicians, medicine, fitness and health, etc.
Mokokchung has a long history of producing successful sportspersons and conceiving renowned sporting events. Unfortunately, the initial enthusiasm seems to be dying out slowly. Just when the doors to unlimited opportunities in the sports industry are opening up, Mokokchung cannot afford to remain slack.