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The George College Sports Management Department, in association with Protouch Sports, organised a seminar titled ‘Beyond the Field: Navigating the New Era of Sports Management’ at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. The event brought together prominent personalities from the sporting world, including IFA Secretary Anirban Dutta, former CAB President Avishek Dalmiya, tennis legend and Bengal Tennis Association President Leander Paes, former tennis player Jaideep Mukherjee and other distinguished guests.
International Connect with ScotlandEstablished in 2003, George College has been working in the field of sports management in Kolkata. The institution has now joined hands with Qualifications Scotland to introduce an internationally aligned diploma programme in sports management.
Mark Hill, representative of Qualifications Scotland, described the association as both historic and promising. He emphasised the ability of sport to inspire people and said that the initiative could create new avenues for skill development, leadership, professional opportunities and excellence in sports management.
The proposed programme is expected to provide students with exposure to international standards and help them understand the rapidly evolving sports ecosystem beyond the playing field.
Opportunity to Become a ‘Champion of Life’
Leander Paes welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of professional management across every sporting discipline. Referring to Scotland as the “Mecca of golf”, Paes stressed that sports management should not be viewed as being relevant only to cricket or a handful of popular sports.
He also pointed out that a career in sports does not necessarily end when an athlete stops competing. Young players whose sporting careers are interrupted because of injuries or other circumstances can explore new professional opportunities through sports management.
According to Paes, such opportunities can help former athletes and young sports enthusiasts reinvent themselves and become a “champion of life” by remaining connected to the sporting ecosystem in a different capacity.
The Growing Need for Qualified Professionals
Speaking about the changing nature of the sports industry, Protouch Sports Director Indrajit Bhalotia highlighted the growing demand for trained and certified professionals.
He said that India currently has more than five lakh professionals working in the sports industry, but only around one per cent are believed to be properly qualified and certified. He stressed the urgent need to develop a pool of trained professionals, particularly with major international sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games requiring sophisticated planning and management.
Bhalotia explained that while sport is played on the field, a vast ecosystem operates behind it. From administration and event management to compliance, sponsorship, marketing and athlete development, every aspect requires professional expertise.
He emphasised that knowing rules and regulations alone is not enough. Professionals must also understand how those rules can be effectively implemented in real-world sporting environments.
A New Direction for Sports Education
As President of the Bengal Tennis Association, Leander Paes also outlined his vision for strengthening tennis in Bengal. He spoke about the need to improve sports science, sports medicine, technical coaching, mental preparation and physical fitness.
He also stressed the importance of identifying talent from across the country and creating a structured pathway through which young athletes can receive appropriate training and professional support.
IFA Chairman and George College Director Subrata Dutta spoke about the potential for Bengal to further develop its football culture through proper planning and government support. Drawing from his own experience, he highlighted the importance of creating a stronger sporting ecosystem where talent, infrastructure, education and professional management can work together.
Former CAB President Avishek Dalmiya underlined the importance of international recognition, meaningful internships and proper placement opportunities. He said that if students receive practical exposure along with globally recognised qualifications, employment opportunities in the sports sector could expand considerably.
Dalmiya also pointed out that the demand for professionals is increasing across several sporting disciplines beyond cricket. According to him, the sports industry is currently passing through an important “transition period”, creating opportunities for a new generation of trained professionals.
Youth and the Future of Sports in Bengal
The seminar also focused on the role of sport in creating opportunities for young people. Paes referred to national initiatives such as Khelo India, which aim to encourage greater participation in sport and create a stronger sporting culture among the youth.
He said such initiatives could help young people discover new career opportunities within the wider sports industry, including coaching, sports science, sports medicine, management and administration.
Speaking about Bengal's long-standing challenges in the sporting sector, Paes stressed the need for a clear and structured approach to move forward. Referring to discussions surrounding the Brazil-India football match and Lionel Messi's Kolkata visit, he argued that Indian football needs a more systematic development process, greater emphasis on technical training and stronger integration of sports science.
He also expressed the ambition of producing athletes capable of competing at the highest international level over the coming decade.
Building a Professional Sports Ecosystem
The programme began with the ceremonial welcome of the guests with uttariyas, mementoes and small saplings. Veteran journalist Abhik Sarkar was also felicitated with an uttariya and a memento for his contribution.
The seminar ultimately highlighted that modern sport is no longer limited to what happens inside the playing arena. Behind every successful athlete, tournament and sporting organisation lies an extensive network of managers, administrators, coaches, medical professionals, marketing specialists, event organisers and other experts.
The collaboration between George College and Qualifications Scotland, along with the association with Protouch Sports, therefore seeks to address an important gap by developing qualified professionals who can contribute to India's rapidly expanding sports industry.
The initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening sports education in Kolkata while opening new pathways for students, athletes and young professionals. With international exposure, professional certification, practical training, internships and placement opportunities, sports management could emerge as an important career choice for the next generation.
As Bengal looks towards a stronger sporting future, the message from the seminar was clear: talent may win a match, but professional planning and management can build an entire sporting ecosystem.