Mission Admission: Physical education A fit mind resides in a fit body

With the trend to become and remain fit gaining ground, a career in Physical Education offers many opportunities in both the private and government sectors
In the words of late US president John F Kennedy, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body. It is the basis of a dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”
Today, the fitness industry is flourishing in the country with many national and international athletes developing rapidly.There seems to be a paradigm shift as we see an increase in the demography of people investing in their physical well-being in order to counter the side-effects of their hectic urban lifestyles. Further, rising cases of physical illnesses are prompting people to take their health, diet and fitness seriously.
Physical education has been one of the constituent parts of the education system in India. In fact, India has an ancient tradition of physical education and sports to ensure the overall development of a person. Physical education mainly focuses on the development of physical and mental fitness, development of neuromuscular skills and development of character and personality.
Physical education involves teaching and understanding of basic skills, sports and life-long fitness activities as well as social and personal skills related to participating in events.
Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education offers a degree in Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) Officiating principal
Keshav Bhagat says the institute lays emphasis on fitness of the human body. He says, "This course spans over three years and offers subjects like principles and elements of physical education, psychology of sports, anatomy, physiology, sports medicine and general science covering the biological, physical and chemical aspects of sports.”
Students having a deep passion for sports and related activities are the right pick for this career. Also, any candidate aspiring to make a career in the field of physical education needs to have certain traits and a range of skills beyond knowing sports. Athletic ability, patience, determination, adaptability, motor skills, perceptual thinking, time management and team working skills are must-haves.
The prospects in sports have increased because of the ample number of choices available. To choose a job related to sports, one should be a sportsperson with minimum experience in regular sporting activities. The area in which one can specialize, in the context of physical education, are management, medicine, nutrition, psychology and journalism among others. Sports management is an avenue gaining popularity as it lets you participate in the exciting world of sports from a business standpoint.
A student who has completed a course in sports and physical education has a wide range of employment opportunities at schools and colleges as physical education teachers or directors and gym and fitness centres as personal trainers, instructors, yoga teachers, therapists, coaches and sport managers.
WHY OPT FOR THE SUBJECT
* Promotes an active lifestyle
* Builds movement, competence and confidence
* Develops teamwork, leadership and interpersonal skills
* Explores decision-making and risk management
Expert View: Kalpana Jadhav
‘You can make your hobby into your career’
We live in an era where people have realized the importance of sports and fitness. This field is expanding exponentially with each passing day. So playing sports at your college or school level need no longer be just a hobby. You can today shape your future in the field by sticking around with physical fitness and pursuing your career in physical education.
A career in physical education can lead you to a wide range of career options; from being a part of the chosen sport, health clubs, sports good manufacturer, marketing, commentator, sports journalism, trainer, and many other similar options. Although in the beginning you will more likely find jobs as trainer or instructor for a sport or a sporting event but by building your experience over the years, you can probably take this experience and put it to use in sports journalism, marketing, commentary or other related fields.
There are many other options of working in this field apart from serving as a player. A candidate with passion for a sports career can also work as coach, team manager/sports manager, fitness instructor, athletic trainer, sports journalist and photographer. Sports persons on retiring from active play can also look forward to satisfying jobs in assignments such as umpires and referees.
Also in a country like ours where spas and yoga centres are on the rise, one can also use his/her expertise for a job in such places. People today are looking for professionals in the field of physical education and sports because they have best knowledge regarding rehabilitative and therapeutic modalities like cryotherapy, thermotherapy, electromagnetic therapy etc. Trained physical education personnel get priority in defence and police services with special recruitment drives.
(Kalpana Jadhav is HOD of Hislop College and former director of sports, RTM Nagpur University)
LIST OF COLLEGES
1. Jyotiba College of Physical Education
· Courses offered: Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), Bachelor of Physical Education (BPE), Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed)
· Course duration: 2 years for BPEd, 3 years for BPE, 2 years for M.P.Ed
· Admission procedure: CET
· Source: College Website
2. Indira Gandhi College of Physical Education
· Courses offered: Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), · Course duration: 2 years for BPEd and 3 years for BPE
· Admission procedure: CET
· Source: Dr Jaideep Ghosh, Principal of Indira Gandhi College of Physical Education
3. Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education
· Courses offered: Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd), Master of Physical Education (M. PEd)
· Course duration: 2 years for BPEd, 3 years for BPE, 2 years for M.P.Ed
· Admission Procedure: CET
· Source: Admission desk
5. PROFESIONALS SPEAK
Physical education basically educates you on how to stay physically fit. A career in this field will be particularly good as the trend is to stay fit right now. This does work in favour of the person opting for this career
TARIQ MAND KHAN
Physical education is a very important subject and making a career in it is a good choice for those who want to live a healthy and physically fit life. Physical education opens up a broad spectrum of choices. Also, participation of youth has increased in the last few decades
AVINASH PANTAWANE
Who does not want to be fit in this fast growing world? But the thing is, to be fit we rely on gyms and other activities instead of joining a professional school for the same. There is no shame in asking for help. I must say that this situation would not have arisen if physical education was a mandatory subject till a student's post-graduation
VIJAY DATARKAR
The awareness regarding physical education has grown in the last few years. The youth of our nation understand the importance of the same and try to be both physically as well as mentally fit. The government of our country needs to bring in reforms to promote an encourage people to be fit
DEEPAK KAVISHWAR
It is embarrassing how poorly physical education is treated in India. It should get much more recognition than it does and should be a mandatory subject for all students. Being healthy is very important and such an important thing being neglected in the educational system is beyond me
MADHAVI RAO
(Contributed by Manshika Vaikkath, Amrit Parida and Shristi Sankrit)