Despite it being said for decades, Indian football is on the rise. Similarly, the country’s football league has traversed through different eras of trials, tribulations, and triumphs. However, the inception of the Indian Super League in 2014 ushered a brief revival in how professional league in the country was conceived and conducted while creating legends who left an indelible mark on the game of football and in the hearts of fans across the country.

Backstory

The Indian Super League began as a step to nurture the popularity of football in India as the country got ready to host the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Before Indian Super League, the sport saw limited popularity but still managed to draw large fans, bringing in football icons like Pele, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi.

Currently, in its 8th season, the ISL has 11 teams and may see even more teams get into a franchise-based league model by 2023. Unlike league formats in England, Spain, or parts of Europe, ISL clubs enjoy fixed membership, with no promotion, no relegation.

Despite being the fourth-biggest football league in the world on Instagram, ISL still pales in on-field comparison to English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and other similar leagues in Europe and South America.

While many begs to differ by saying that the league is not perfect and still has a long way to go. In a way, it is fair that two things can be true at the same time and the same applies to ISL. The fans always want more, as they should, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that ISL has significantly helped elevate Indian football to new heights.

Better match experience

Before the emergence of ISL, Indian football leagues had poor television coverage coupled with poor branding, marketing, and a dull ambiance which was not enough to attract the audience from the national and international community.

Fast forward to the present day, and ISL has transformed into the hierarchy of Indian football with a collection of marquee players from Europe to South America and young players filtering down the football pyramid to lift the level considerably. Former Brazilian footballer and Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi Brazilian Roberto Carlos, Alessandro Del Piero, Nicolas Anelka, Luis Garcia, Robert Pires, and coaches like the legendary Zico became the trailblazers of the phenomenon. Many others followed suit including Ferran Corominas and Steven Mendoza who are now idolized as icons.

The TV ratings improved like never before, leveraging social media presence with millions of admirers has also helped the league to attract a fanbase through banners, pictures, and tweets on social media. The rising graph clearly suggests that today’s youth are not just welcoming the game, but enjoying it too.

Fan culture

During the National Football League/I League days, the lack of proper fan involvement programs hurt the growth of football fan culture in the country.

With the advent of the ISL, the fans have found new vigor and are able to attend matches regularly and follow their teams to away matches which ultimately results in a better matchday atmosphere, something that seemed like a pipe dream 10 years ago.

The ISL’s fan engagement programs led to the formation of multiple fan clubs, West Block Blues, Manjapadda, Gaur Army, Red Miners, The Juggernauts, Super Machans, and the latest East Bengal Ultras and Mariners Base Camp.

For others, these games mean nothing in the long term, but for the fans, it is more than a club involvement and every matchday counts as a big event. They become the 12^th man and want to be part of everything the club represents. It takes a very special type of fan to travel across a state to see your local team play in a week, week out. It gives a whole new connection between fans and players if they come from the same city or state. Just look at Edwin at Chennaiyin FC, Sahal Samad at Kerala Blasters, Brandon Fernandes at FC Goa.

Attendance

In terms of attendance too, the ISL has shown encouraging progress over the years while improving the overall perception of the league from both inside, and outside, of the Indian football realm.

In the inaugural year, the average attendance at an ISL match was 24,070 and watched by 429 million viewers on Star TV. In 2015, the spectator count grew to 27,210 per match. The 2015 season also registered the league’s highest attendance of 68,340 between ATK v Chennaiyin in the two-legged second semifinals. The following seasons saw a decline averaging 20,659, 14,731, 11,908 respectively. And the past two seasons have been played behind closed doors owing to the pandemic. However, in the coming years, ISL may see even more teams added with promotion, and relegation would be a great sign of integration and promising better fare and a much larger following.

Viewership and Social media reach

An analysis by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data shows that the league recorded a giant reach of over 130 million in the 2021 season; surpassed the previous season in terms of Television Ratings, Time Spent Viewing, brand integrations, and social buzz.

The 2021 season also garnered 3.42 billion viewing minutes compared to the 2020 season’s 3.16 billion as well as 16% pan-India growth from the 2020 season’s viewership numbers. Smart broadcasting coverage by Star India has played a part, too in rising the numbers with its grandeur touch of localized telecast in regional language and high-engaging content to reach out to more people.

And let’s not forget that in an extremely tech-savvy Indian youth in the digital platform, there has been a drastic increase in engagement as well. And also remember that ISL’s engagement in digital media is more than double of Italy’s Serie A.

Direct links with foreign clubs

With an eye to improving the level of football in India and expanding their own brand, some European clubs have taken steps to get involved with ISL clubs. One of the most significant deals in the history of the league was when City Football Group added Mumbai City FC to their portfolio of football clubs after acquiring a majority stake of 65%.

Germany’s Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund has a partnership with Hyderabad FC in the enhancement of the academy and coach education. Scottish Premiership champions Rangers FC and Bengaluru FC forged a technical deal of setting up football schools and holding training camps in Bengaluru. And other German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig established a strategic partnership with FC Goa to offer their facilities in order to develop Indian talents and also expand their own brand in the country. All these tie-ups with foreign clubs inspire and pave the way for the next generation of footballing stars in India.

Recognition

Clubs in Asia and Europe are noticing the massive talent nurtured in the ISL.  Many young talents have had tryouts with European clubs but failed to pen a deal. Ashique Kuruniyan, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Brandon Fernandes to name a few who were a touching distance of the ultimate dream of playing in Europe.

Commitment to youth development and grooming domestic talent

Finally, the ISL academy system is an important part of the league’s growth and stability that simply didn’t exist in the first few years.

During the initial years of ISL, playing in I-League and state tournaments was the biggest pipeline for young players to enter the ISL. That meant that players usually spent years playing in the college environment. However, this system is now constantly improving, with ISL having youth academies at every club, teams across the country becoming more and more competitive and the number of younger kids who want to play football constantly increasing as well.

Just as important as the improvements made on the youth are the strides made on focusing on the growth of domestic talent as well, which also happened to be an important ingredient for long-term growth while ultimately giving the national team a much-needed boost.

Moving forward                                           

The pandemic may have interrupted the last two seasons running the league being played in a bio-bubble environment with no crowds but it is easy to see where ISL is going, even if it is not there yet. When ISL began, nobody knew where it might lead. Most figured it would end up as other defunct leagues in the country. Thankfully, the league is still thriving. If this is how far Indian Super League has come in just 8 short years, there is no limit to what the next 8 and beyond may hold.

The Sports School has partnered with Bengaluru FC to provide aspiring footballers with world-class training to reach the next level. At The Sports School campus, we offer a Professional Football Coaching Program with experienced coaches licensed by AFC and AIFF, where the monitoring and evaluation of the student’s performance will be done by Head of Youth Development and BFC Youth Academy coaches.

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Any time of year is the right time to impress your friends, family, teammates, or coaches with your sports knowledge. Here, we uncover a mass of interesting factoids about your favorite sports and iconic Indian athletes that continues to fascinate and bring joy to millions across the country and around the world.

These facts are worth their weight in gold, so prepare to dazzle your friends when you share these obscure yet fascinating tidbits.

1) When Kabaddi floored Hitler & Co. at the Olympics

Adored by many here and enigma to outsiders, Kabaddi may now be a stranger sport to the Olympic stage, but many don’t know that Kabaddi first received its international exposure when India demonstrated the sports during the 1936 Olympic in Berlin and left Adolf Hitler and the Olympic Committee members in awe with their kabaddi moves.

2) Payyoli Express

Popularly known as the ‘Queen of Indian track and field’, PT Usha was the youngest Indian woman to participate in Olympics. At the age of 16 years and 69 days, she competed at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

She was also the first Indian woman sprinter to reach the final of an Olympic track event.

3) Staggering Sharath

Paralympian swimmer Sharath Gayakwad currently holds the record for the most number of medals won by an Indian at any multi-disciplinary sporting event.

Sharath achieved this in the 2014 Asian Para Games by winning six medals.

4) The multi-talented cricket star

Indian Women’s Cricket team’s star opener and fan-favorite Jemimah Rodrigues is also a great hockey player and has represented Mumbai & Maharashtra Hockey teams in the U17 level before switching to competitive cricket.

5) The father of Indian Cycling

Apart from being an actor, production designer, writer, Jankidas Mehra is also a champion cyclist who broke eight world records between 1934 and 1942.

He was the first Indian to have hoisted India’s national flag (pre-independence) at the World Sports Congress. He was also the founder of the Cycling Federation of India.

6) Olympic Pioneers

Nilima Ghose, Mary D’Souza, Dolly Nazir, and Arati Saha were independent India’s first women representatives at the Olympics.

The quartet represented India at the 1952 Helsinki Games.

7) Queen of the court

PV Sindhu is the first and only Indian to become the Badminton World Champion and only the second individual athlete from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games.

8) Lionhearted cricketer

Kapil Dev, who is inarguable, India’s greatest ever all-rounder has never missed a cricket match due to an injury. He, of course, has missed matches and also was dropped once but has not missed a single match owing to an injury.

9) Mecca of Indian Hockey

Sansarpur, a village with a population of 4600 in Jalandhar, Punjab has produced 14 Olympians who went on to win 27 medals for India in Field Hockey. In one particular Olympics, 7 players were from this village alone.

10) First Indian to play for Tottenham Hotspur

The 20-year-old footballer Dilan Markanday is the first British-Asian – as well as the first player of Indian descent to play for the English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspurs.

11) Almighty!

Shilaroo Hockey Stadium located in Himachal Pradesh is the world’s highest-altitude hockey stadium at around 8,000 feet (almost 2,500 meters above sea level) and is surrounded by Narkanda and Hatu Peaks.

12) The man with the ‘golden arm’

Neeraj Chopra became the household name when he clinched India’s first-ever gold medal in athletics at the Olympics, but did you know the youngster also holds other accolades such as – first-and-only Indian to win World Junior Championships gold, Asian Games gold, Commonwealth Games gold, Asian Championships gold and South Asian Games gold medals.

Neeraj is truly a different beast with a javelin spear in his hand.

13) The golden age of Indian Hockey

In 1926, the India Hockey team toured New Zealand and played 21 matches of which India scored 192 goals and conceded only 25.

14) Quickfire

Indian football legend IM Vijayan holds the record of scoring the sixth-fastest goal (12 sec) in the history of international football. It was against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF Games.

15) A pioneer in Indian badminton

Prakash Padukone was the first Indian to win a hat-trick of Grand Prix titles including the Swedish Open, Danish, and All England crowns – all in quick succession.

16) Singh is King

Singh is the most common surname among Indian Hockey Players. Once during a match, a foreign journalist in his dispatch wrote, “Singh initiated the move. After dodging past a defender, Singh passed the ball to Singh, who centered it to Singh and Singh scored the goal with a reverse flick”.

17) India’s first-ever Olympic medal winner

Norman Pritchard who was the only Indian who participated in the Olympics of 1900 and bagged 2 silver medals was the first Asian-born to win an Olympic medal. Later, he went on to become an actor in LA in the name Norman Trevor.

18) Flying Sikh

The title of ‘Flying Sikh’ was bestowed upon Captain Milkha Singh by General Ayyub Khan of Pakistan after he beat Pakistan’s star athlete Abdul Khaliq in the 200m dash in Lahore.

19) Dravid spent 735 hrs 52 mins at the crease

Rahul Dravid has faced more deliveries; spent more time at the crease while batting than any other batsman in the history of Test cricket. Throughout his Test career, Dravid has faced 31,258 deliveries (5209 overs and roughly 735 hours 52 minutes) – a world record.

No other batsman has faced 30,000 deliveries.

20) India’s first female Winter Olympian

Shailaja Kumar was India’s first female Olympian. She participated in Alpine Skiing at the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics, finishing 28th in the women’s slalom event.

21) The mercurial Hockey legend

Dhanraj Pillay, one of the greatest hockey players India ever had, is unsurprisingly also the only Indian to have played 4 World Cups, 4 Olympics, 4 Champions Trophies, and 4 Asian games.

22) Abhinav Bindra’s career almost ended before he won the Olympic gold

In 2006, after the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Abhinav Bindra had a career-threatening spinal injury but went through vigorous rehabilitation to change his posture. He won gold in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 after overcoming this injury.

23) Openers at the Lords honors board

Only 3 Indian openers have scored a century at the Home of Cricket – Lord’s: Vinoo Mankad, Ravi Shastri, and KL Rahul.

Vinoo Mankad was also the first non-English player to grace the Lord’s honor board.

24) The game of snooker was born in India

The game of snooker was accidentally invented in Jabalpur, India by a lieutenant of the British Army, Neville Chamberlain, in 1875. But it took more than 100 years before India had its first professional in the sport.

25) Blazing his own trail

Pankaj Advani is the only player in the world to win world titles in both long and short formats of snooker (15 red standard and 6 red) and both formats of English Billiards (Time and Point).

26) Conceding goals while signing autographs is not for everyone

As crazy as it may sound, Indian Hockey goalkeeper Richard Allen has the record of conceding just two goals in three Olympic Games. Apparently, he conceded one goal while signing autographs; in which the India men’s team won 24-1 and another was a rebounded effort in the finals of 1936, India won 8-1.

27) World’s third oldest and Asia’s oldest football tournament

Durand Cup is the third oldest football competition in the world. The prestigious Indian football tournament was first held in 1888, is also the oldest in Asia.

28) Indian Boxing queen

Mary Kom is the only woman to become a world amateur boxing champion for a record six times. And the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each of the seven world championships.

29) An untainted legacy

Atanu Bhattacharya is the only Indian to win a place in the Asian All-Stars XI. He was part of the Asian All-Stars in 1984. Interestingly, he played for our Indian team and then got a call for the Bengal team that later won the Santhosh Trophy.

30) Paving the way

Nikki Pradhan is the first woman hockey player from Jharkhand to represent India at the Olympics.

31) First Indian woman to win two medals at Paralympics

Ace para-shooter Avani Lekhara is not only the first Indian woman ever to win a gold medal at the Paralympics but also the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic medals.

32) Fastest Drag Flick record in Hockey

Nicknamed as ‘Flicker Singh’, Sandeep Singh holds the world record for the fastest drag flick in Hockey history with the speed of 145 km per hr.

33) Once a perennial contender

India became the first Asian nation to reach the Olympics football semi-final after thrashing Australia 4-2 on December 1, 1956.

34) Independent India’s first individual Olympic medallist

Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav was the first Olympic medallist of Independent India. He won a bronze medal in Wrestling at the 1952Summer Olympics and remains to be the only Olympic medallist who hasn’t been honored with the Padma awards.

35) Remember when the Olympics used to have an art competition…

Art was a part of the Olympic games until the 1948 Olympics and Chintamani Kar a sculptor from West Bengal won a silver medal for Great Britain.

36) Disguised boy to wonder girl

Teenage Cricketer Shafali Verma’s father disguised her as a boy to get her enrolled in a cricket academy in Rohtak, which refused to admit any girls.

37) First Indian shuttler to win a title abroad

Nandu Natekar was the first Indian sportsperson to be conferred with Arjuna Award. He was also the first Indian to win an International tournament when he clinched the Sellinger International title in Malaysia in 1956.

38) Hattrick hero

Neville D’ Souza was the first Asian footballer to score a hattrick in an Olympic Games. He was also the joint highest goal scorer at 1956

39) Father-son duo to win an Olympic medal

Singhs and Paes’ are the only father-son duo to win an Olympic medal.

Dhyan Chand Singh’s exploits on the hockey field won India three consecutive Olympic golds in 1928, 1932, and 1936. His son Ashok Kumar won the bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Paes’s family has bagged two Olympic medals for the nation. Leander Paes won a Bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta games while his father Vice Paes had won a Bronze medal in Hockey during the 1972 Munich games.

40) One of the true legends of Indian Cricket

Vijay Hazare led India to its first-ever win in 1952 against England in Madras.

He also has dismissed Sir Don Bradman twice.

41) To give a greater degree of control over the playing surface

The 1975 edition was the last time a Hockey World Cup was played on natural grass. Since then, field hockey has switched to AstroTurf, changing the nature of the game.

42) Passion that Prevails

Mary initially kept her interest in boxing a secret from her father. Her family didn’t know about her interest in boxing till a newspaper published her photo.

43) Indian Basketball Hall of Fame

Abbas Moontasir was the first Indian basketball player to be named in the Asian All-Star team after a brilliant showing in the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok.

44) Sunil Chhetri’s mum played for the Nepal national team

Football runs deep in Sunil Chhetri’s family. His mother Sushila Chhetri his aunts, and twin sisters have played for the Nepal women’s national team in the past. As a matter of fact, Chhetri’s father KB Chhetri, who was employed with the Indian Army, played football for the Services.

45) First Indian married couple took part in Olympics

Indian archers Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari, who tied the knot last year were the first Indian couple to take part in the same discipline in an Olympic Games.

46) The flying Indian

Jimmy George, who is arguably the greatest ever Volleyball player that India produced, was the first Indian to play professional Volleyball successfully in Europe.

47) The Scottish clubs and Indian football connection

In 1936, Mohammed Salim became the first Indian man to play overseas football when Celtic FC signed him. 84 years later, in 2020, Rangers FC signed Bala Devi, making her the first Indian woman selected to play football overseas.

48) Anju Bobby George’s leap into history books

Anju Bobby George was the first Indian medallist at the World Athletics Championships when she took the long jump (6.70 m) bronze in Paris in 2003.

49) A record to be proud of

India’s Balbir Singh holds a record of maximum goals in an Olympic final when he scored 5 goals in India’s 6-1 win against the Netherlands. The record is still unbeaten.

50) Don Bradman and Dhyan Chand once met

Don Bradman after watching India’s hockey game at Adelaide in May 1935 told Dhyan Chand: “You score goals like runs in cricket.”

Olympic Games.

Congratulations, you’ve officially made it to the end. You can now safely call yourself a full-time sports geek.

The post 50 Interesting facts that you might not have known about Indian Sports appeared first on The Sports School.

The dream to play cricket as a profession is something every child in India longs to fulfil. A cricket career in India is an entertaining and glamorous space that young boys are drawn towards – especially if they have grown up passionately playing the sport and are good at it. 

Most educational institutions offer children the chance to play with other schools or compete at the state level – however, seldom do schools encourage children to pursue the sport as a career post their class 12th, because the focus goes back to academics, even if the child is excellent at cricket. Many Indian parents are also against children playing cricket because they do not consider it a fruitful use of their child’s time. Parents think that cricket should only be played as a hobby because one cannot easily develop it into a career. Contrary to this opinion, there are ways to build a cricket career in India. 

So how then does a child go about a cricket career in India?

Do you think your child has it in him to become a cricketer? Do you think your child should have access to specialized sports training along with academic learning? If yes, then it’s time to start thinking of ways to help your child build his cricket career in India. 

Academics and sports go hand in hand – and this is where schools that integrate academics and sports in an equally serious and focused manner step in. The Sports School has established itself as India’s first and leading integrated institution, which provides budding athletes and sportspersons with a platform to pursue their sporting passions along with their academic careers. 

To build a successful cricket career in India, children can consider getting both an education as well as world-class training at the Sports School. Here, the school neither compromises academic coaching nor sports coaching by providing holistic child development in both spheres. The Sports School indeed possesses the best cricket coaching in Bangalore. 

Get the best cricket training facility at The Sports School, Bangalore

To kickstart your child’s cricket career in India, consider applying for admission at The Sports School. The earlier you apply, the better your child’s access to sports training will be. If you are worried about academics, don’t be – 

• The school takes in children between grades 4 and 10 and has a collaboration with the CBSE board.
• The school offers three academic streams for students at their pre-university level (grades 11-12), which they can balance with sports training. 
• For older children, the school offers university-level degrees such as B.A., B.Com., BBA, MBA, and MSc. are affiliated to the Jain Group of Institutions, a top-ranked university in India. 

In addition to no compromise on education, your child will have access to India’s best cricket training. At the Sports School, your child will have access to the best mentors, trainers as well as facilities for playing and honing their cricket skills. Find your child the best cricket training facility at the Sports School. 

Features The Sports School with the best cricket training in India also provides:

• More than just playing cricket

Our trainers and mentors understand that children need to learn much more than just how cricket is played on the field – they need to learn how to accept challenges, play under pressure, aim at their goals and practice consistently. 

• Train with Robin Uthappa
  

The Sports School cricket chief mentor Robin Uthappa is here to give your child personal attention and help them focus on their skill and technique. Among other mentors and trainers, the Sports School also has Nidhuvan Gotadke as the head coach and Vikram PS as the assistant coach, both excellent cricketers. 

• The Sports School Cricket Academy Facilities 
  • We have specialized programs and coaching for bowling, batting, and wicket keeping, and each child is trained according to their fitness levels.  
  • Spread over 65m, our cricket grounds are made keeping international standards in mind, with natural turf.
  • Children have access to 6 indoor and 6 outdoor practice nets.
  • Our grounds are always ready to host domestic and international matches.

With Robin Uthappa, The Sports School has made itself a brand to yearn for parents to young, talented, budding cricketers. Find your child the best cricket training facility at the Sports School, and help them achieve their cricket goals. 

Are you excited about letting your child train at the best cricket coaching in Bangalore?

Give your child the best cricket training in India, without compromising on their education! Do you think your child has what it takes to become a cricketer? The Sports School is currently accepting admissions for the 2021 batch of students. Get in touch with the Sports School today!

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Not much attention is given to Indian football in general, let alone WOMEN’s football. But, you should. Why? Because Indian women footballers are spreading their wings, making the country proud, and getting global recognition. Have no clue who we are talking about? Let us introduce you to one such Indian women footballer Ngangom Bala Devi, who plays in a major women’s football league in Scotland and makes the country proud.

Early life and domestic career:

Bala Devi was born on 2nd February 1990 in Manipur. While growing up, she was always fascinated by the sport and used to play with the local boys. However, she was always criticized for it. 

“I used to play with the local boys initially. Many people started talking about my playing and started criticizing me.”

However, she continued playing football as she found strength and support in her father, a state-level football player. 

“My father was a footballer, and he used to motivate me always. Even today, he is my go-to person for any kind of football query, however silly it may be.”

Bala Devi was part of the Manipur team at the under-19 Women’s championship held in Assam in 2002. She was declared the best player of the tournament. She eventually represented the Manipur Senior Women’s Football Team in the Indian women’s football championship and various other Indian women’s football clubs, such as the Manipur Police Sports Club and KRYPHSA F.C.

Image Source – The Sangai Express

Bala Devi has scored a total of twenty-six goals in her domestic career in her thirty-seven appearances, which helped her get noticed by the Scottish Premier League club, the Rangers. F.C.

Foreign Club Contract

Image Source- Latestly

Bala Devi created history when she became the first Indian Women Footballer to sign and play for an international football club, Rangers F.C, in the Scottish Premier League. She signed the contract for 18 months in January 2020. However, she had to wait almost a year to score her first goal for the club as the league was canceled due to the pandemic. She scored her first goal in the Rangers vs. Motherwell match held on December 6, 2020. Coming as a substitute player in the 65th minute, she netted the final goal in the 9-0 thrashing of Motherwell by the Rangers. She became the first Indian women footballer to score in the European professional football league. It has been a memorable event in Indian women’s football history and helped put the country on an international stage.

Talking about her experience at the club, Bala Devi exclaims, “It’s a different country and a whole new experience. There are many players from Scotland, Canada, the USA, France. It’s a huge challenge for me, but I am gaining a lot of experience from them as well.”

Representations, Awards, and Accolades

Image Source-Football Counter

Bala Devi has had an illustrious career so far with her. She has represented India in the 2016 South Asian Games, where she scored three goals in five matches. The SAFF Women’s Championship is where she has excelled dramatically. She was part of the Indian team in the first SAFF Championship held in 2010. It was her best tournament as she scored a whopping eight goals in five matches, which included her five goals in a single match against Bhutan, in which India went on to win with an unbelievable score line of 18-0. India, eventually, was the winner of that tournament.

Similarly, at the 2014 SAFF Championship, she exhibited excellent form, scoring sixteen goals in just five matches, and India claiming the championship for the third consecutive time. Bala Devi was awarded the Women’s Player Of The Year award by the All India Football Federation on account of her performance. She received the prestigious award again in 2015. Till date, Bala Devi has scored thirty-six goals while representing India in forty-six matches.

Image Source- The Bridge

Bala Devi has been an inspirational and influential figure for Indian girls wanting to make a name for themselves in football. Even the Indian women’s football team captain Ashalata Devi has praised Bala Devi, saying that her stint with the Rangers F.C. will be a huge boost for young girls across the country. Ashalata, in her chat with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), said, “Bala di playing for Rangers is a very big opportunity as it shows us the way to play abroad and for the next generation too. I hope the young generation gets inspired by her and (goalkeeper) Aditi Chauhan.” 

Bala Devi truly has been a blessing for Indian women’s football. Here’s wishing this great personality all the success for her future endeavors.

If you too aspire to be a footballer, we have the best program for you along with Bengaluru Fc.

The Sports School Football Academy with Bengaluru FC provides aspiring footballers with world-class training to reach the next level. At The Sports School campus, we offer a Professional Football Coaching Program with experienced coaches licensed by AFC and AIFF,  where the monitoring and evaluation of the student’s performance will be done by Head of Youth Development and BFC Youth Academy coaches.

Facilities:

• FIFA Quality Pro Certified Artificial Turf measuring 108m x 68m Football Field

The post All you need to know about Bala Devi, The First Indian Woman Footballer to Bag Contract with Foreign Club appeared first on The Sports School.

Imagine seeing your name on your jersey and having over a thousand people cheering as you enter to play the game that is your passion. Many professional basketball players relish this adulation and describe the feeling as surreal. 

Basketball is hands down one of the most popular sports worldwide, viewed by all the age-groups. Moreover, it is a high-spirited and impromptu game packed with actions like dribbling, shooting, defense, rebounding, and passing. Experts encourage young students to join this game as it boosts endurance, flexibility, and coordination.

Basketball is a lucrative career option for students who are incredibly athletic and focused on their target. Basketball players are nothing less than entertainers who woo the live audience with their two-hour one-on-one show. So what does it take to start a basketball career in India? Keep reading on as we have outlined some tips and tricks to ace this sport and lead like a pro.

• Focus

You see, basketball is a sport that requires excellent focusing skills. You cannot afford to miss your target, or else you will end up giving an easy point to your opponent. For instance, if you are good at scoring, go for that.

If you are more into defending, lock it down. If you bounce like a destroying ball, go haul in every board. So the point is, focus and refine your strengths if you want to make it big in this sport. You can also consider joining a basketball program at the sports school for the best preparation.

• Set your Mind Free

The environment right before a basketball match is quite tense. Therefore, experts from the best basketball training in India recommend you to set your mind free. Wear your tricks on sleeves and set your game straight.

Focusing more on higher levels of play is the key to success in this sport. In other words, do not just concentrate on dribbling or scoring, focus on what is open. It is a crucial tip for the students who look forward to starting a basketball career in India.

• Ace the Skill of Calming Down your Mind

The one who stays calm and composed on the court leads the game. It will also help in performing at the highest level during the most intense or chaotic games. Students should learn the tricks of staying calm from inside and giving an explosive performance with great intensity. Breathing exercises and yoga can help you in mastering this art.

• Practice

There is no alternative for practice. Students who wish to start a career in basketball in India should leave no stone unturned in practicing their moves. Be it dribbling, shooting, jumping, or warmups, make sure you do it every day. Especially as a beginner to the sport, grasping the fundamentals of basketball is essential to your enjoyment and development of the game.

• Be a Team Player

Basketball is a team sport. There will be four more players apart from you on the court. So, it is essential to understand and acknowledge their tricks and ideas. Unite with your team in a mutual bond to win every tournament.

Moreover, communication and encouragement also play a vital role in determining the overall performance of a player. Identify and understand the basketball jargon and ensure to use them for better communication within the game.

• Connect with a Good Coach and Analyze Other Players

Last but most important, enroll for a professional basketball training at the sports school where coaches can help develop your game. You can also refine your game by studying the established basketball player there. Trust us, you can learn some amazing finer skills like movement, attacking, and defensive tactics in a professional sports school.

Takeaway

So, these were some essential for starting a basketball career in India. As far as education is concerned, you should have a stronghold on the concepts of quantum physics. The best part about this field is that this industry’s future is very bright, and the sky’s the limit for the talented players.

Many sports academies roll out lucrative career options for experienced players and allow them to play on the national level. A basketball career can offer you everything ranging from name, fame, exposure to success. You will get an opportunity to travel to different countries and interact with some of the best basketball players.

Students who are serious about this sport should enroll in The Sports School – the First Integrated School for Sports and Academics in India. It offers a world-class training platform for budding tennis, cricket, badminton, football, and basketball athletes. Many world-renowned mentors and expert coaches are also associated with this sports academy. Connect with their executives today, and kickstart your journey of becoming the top basketball player in the world.

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KIYG is popularly known as Khelo India Youth Games and plans on taking place in the state of Haryana in 2021. For 2021, the Sports Ministry at New Delhi approved the inclusion of 4 indigenous sports in December 2020 in addition to Yogasana. They are Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, and Mallakhamba. Kiren Rijiju, India’s Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to preserve, promote, and celebrate our indigenous sports. With this, he points at adding more games that portray indigeneity. He believes that there is no better event than KIYG to showcase native talent. It is a moment of pride for the entire nation as different parts of the country come together through these skillful games. Gatka is from Punjab, Kalaripayattu from Kerala, Thang-Ta from Manipur, and Mallakhamba from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It will not only elevate the enthusiasm of the athletes but also inform the youth of the country. 

It is time we get a glance at these games for better understanding.

• Gatka – Martial art of Punjab
  
  

  Image Source- The Bridge

For those who are unaware, Gatka is the traditional form of martial arts that was introduced by the Sikh community. With all grace and determination, it is now a sport that is nationally recognized. Soti, the wooden stick used that mimics the swords, is used for stick fighting. While playing, two or more professionals represent the warriors of the late seventeenth century when Sikhs fought with the Mughals. It includes combat training, basic self-defense, and lastly, the use of weapons only if other means have failed to save you from the threat. It abides by the principle of Sikhism. The incorporation of Gatka among indigenous sports in KIYG will motivate the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) and the elite professionals.

• Kalaripayattu – Martial art of Kerala
  
  

  Image Source- Neuronerdz

Kalaripayattu, also known as Kalari, is one of the oldest and most empirical forms of martial art. Its origin is from Kerala that is now respected and acknowledged across the globe. The Kalari professionals can sync their minds and bodies like a true warrior. It abides by the guru-shishya tradition and includes body training, a controlled mind, strong moves, and extreme determination. Kalari means sacred ground or battlefield, so the students show respect to the ground by applying the mud/soil on their head and further on the idol, followed by bowing. 

• Thang-Ta – Martial art of Manipur
  
  

  Image Source- Inside Chronicle

Thang-Ta, meaning sword and spear, is a traditional game traced back to ancient times where Thang-Ta Gurus performed it. It is also known as Huyen Lallong and requires perfect coordination between breath and movements. It has been a part of Manipur history since the Meitei’s protected their kingdom from the invaders. The value of this sport is more than a game for an event. One must respect their strength and determination as to how a small ethnic community fought against their hostile neighbors for survival. Before the significance of the game goes into the state of oblivion and isolation, the sports ministry has declared the inclusion of Thang-Ta as an indigenous game in KIYG 2021. 

• Mallakhamb – Ariel gymnasts
  
  

  Image Source- The National

Mallakhamba, unlike the other three indigenous sports, is a game showcasing gymnastics on a pole. It is widely seen in the state of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra but is practiced all over India. As the name suggests, Malla means a wrestler, and Khamba means a pole. In this sport, the gymnast performs various poses, movements, and yoga postures on the pole. This traditional Indian sport is all about flexibility and balance where your mind needs to be at peace. Various forms are seen in this game, such as a fixed pole, hanging pole, or a rope for performing the art. Regardless of that, the indigenous sport focuses on testing endurance, strength, stamina, and balance. Its addition to the Khelo India Youth Games for 2021 under indigenous sports will inspire the nation’s youth. 

Conclusion 

Indigenous sports of our nation are an essential part of people’s culture and heritage. One should be aware of the stories behind the creation of these forms of art. Our nation’s sports ministry initiatives of including four indigenous sports in KIYG 2021 will preserve the culture, motivate the youngsters, and encourage the athletes. Regular participation and interest in native sports will help you to stay in touch with your heritage, culture, and get to explore its roots. With the incorporation of indigenous games in the upcoming event of 2021 – Khelo India Youth Games, there will be fun, friendly competition, and different states on a single platform with their cultures beautifully portrayed.

The Sports School, a Kalpen Ventures initiative, in association with JAIN GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS (JGI), a 28-year-old educational conglomerate, aims for a holistic approach to educate and guide students. With 85 institutes across India, JGI not only brings in elite thought leadership, but also focuses on empowering talent across the nation by encouraging curiosity, learning and initiative. JGI’s alumni include over 10+ Arjuna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Awardees and 300+ sportsperson of International and National repute.

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Who says sports don’t pay well? Sports reward handsomely for those who follow their passion to the zenith and make it big.

As per the leading publication, Forbes’ compilation of the highest paid sportsperson of 2020, the top hundred sportspersons in the world earned a staggering $3.6 billion (or INR 27,000 crores!!) combined.

These top hundred richest sportspersons belong to 21 countries and ten sporting disciplines – namely football, soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball, car racing (F1, NASCAR), golf, boxing, and cricket. Interestingly, two female athletes cut this year’s ranking – Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka (both belonging to Tennis) – the first time in the Forbes ranking list history.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 richest athletes in the world.

• Roger Federer (Tennis) – $106 million

Image Source – Britannica

As the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in Tennis, Roger Federer is a modern-day legend with 20 Grand Slam titles to his credit. With accolades come the rewards, Federer is the highest paid sportsperson in the world with estimated earnings of over $106 million in 2020.

Federer has signed blockbuster endorsement deals with marquee brands such as Uniqlo, Mercedes Benz, Credit Suisse, Rolex, and many others. These multi-year endorsement deals dwarf his lifetime earnings of $130 million from playing the sport.

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) – $105 million

Image Source – Goal.com

Another modern-day great, Ronaldo is a five-time recipient of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, the highest recognition in football. He is second on the list of world’s highest paid athletes with earnings of $105 million – $45 million from playing football and $60 million from brand endorsements from Nike, Unilever, Herbalife, and others.

• Lionel Messi (Football) – $104 million

Image Source – The Boston Globe

Lionel Messi needs no introduction to sports enthusiasts. This sportsperson’s charm and surreal football skills transcend across generations and continents. A six-time Ballon d’Or winner (the most in history), his estimated earnings top $104 million for the year 2020. 

Messi has a long-standing contract with his club Barcelona which fetches him $80 million annually. He also endorses brands such as Adidas, Pepsi, Mastercard, Huawei, and others.

• Neymar Jr. (Football) –  $95 million

Image Source -Neymar Jr.

The Brazilian star athlete created headlines when he moved from Barcelona to his current club Paris Saint-German (PSG), for an eye-popping transfer fee of $263 million. He earns close to $50 million in club salary alone. Off the football field, Neymar also endorses brands such as Nike, Gillette, Red Bull, Beat Electronics, and many more.

• LeBron James (Basketball) – $88 million

Image Source- Forbes

NBA star LeBron James is a proud recipient of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) tag for a whopping four times. Apart from his professional commitments at the LA Lakers basketball club, James is also an entrepreneur and investor in multiple business franchises. This superstar athlete earns close to $88 million annually, including endorsements for Nike, Coca Cola, EA Sports, Walmart, and others.

• Stephen Curry (Basketball) – $74 million

Image Source – The New Yorker

Stephen Curry is the highest paid sportsperson in the NBA since the last three seasons, and his club Golden State Warriors signed him on a $200 million contract – the highest ever in NBA history.

Curry earns $30 million in salary while his endorsements (Under Armour and others) fetch him another $44 million.

• Kevin Durant (Basketball) – $64 million

Image Source- Sportsnet

Kevin Durant is an NBA superstar who plays for the club Brooklyn Nets and earned approximately $64 million in salary and endorsements in 2020. He joined the club after signing a four-year contract for $164 million in 2019.

This illustrious sportsperson earns almost $35 million from endorsements. Durant has also invested in dozens of companies, including many leading unicorn startups.

• Tiger Woods (Golf) – $62 million

Image Source- Golf Channel

Widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all times, Tiger Woods has been regularly featured in the ‘highest paid’ list for many years. Woods is also one of the richest sportspersons to have ever played with estimated earnings of over $1.5 billion over the last 25 years of his professional career.

Endorsements constitute a significant chunk of Woods’ earnings – $60 million, from brands such as Nike, Rolex, Discovery Communication, Bridgestone, etc.

• Kirk Cousins (American Football) – $61 million

Image Source- numberFire

NFL star Kirk Cousins is the richest sportsperson in the league. His latest two-year contract extension with the club Vikings will fetch him $66 million plus a $30 million signing bonus.

Out of his $61 million in earnings during 2020, Cousins earned $2.5 million from endorsements for renowned brands like Nike, Bose, CenturyLink, Panini, etc.

•  Carson Wentz (American Football) – $59 million

Image Source- amNewYork

Rounding off the top ten list is NFL star, Carson Wentz. Wentz started his professional career in 2016 and, since then, has broken multiple game records. His total earnings of $59 million in 2020 is a testimony to his immense talent.

Wentz endorses brands such as Nike, Amazon, Bose, Scheels, NRG, Bobcat, among others and is the 10th highest paid sportsperson of 2020.

Excited about building your career in Sports? Check this out:-

Building a Career in Sports Management in India

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What is Sport Rehabilitation?

Sport Rehabilitation is a process of recovering athletes from any sports injury, pain or illness. It helps decide when an injured athlete can safely be back to sport ensuring there is no risk of re-injury. All athletes at some point of time, professional or not, are inclined to injuries due to the excessive wear and tear. These are associated with the demands of sports training.

Types of Sport Injury:

• Ankle Sprain
• Groin Pull
• Hamstring Strain
• Shin Splints
• Knee injury
• Tennis Elbow
• Swollen Muscles
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Ligament tear
• ACL Tear
• Head Injury

These injuries are very common in sports like football, soccer, basketball, baseball, cricket, rugby, kabaddi etc.

Role of a Sport Rehabilitator:

Sport Rehabilitators are trained to cure these injuries through various techniques. The Rehabilitator decides when an injured athlete can safely be back to sport ensuring there is no risk of further injury. They have a strong focus on biomechanics, exercise rehabilitation, physiotherapy and returning injured sportsmen to a high level of function. Rehabilitators are trained to carefully record and protect all sensitive information relating to the injured athletes condition as part of their treatment session.

How is Rehabilitation done?

The first step towards recovery is getting an accurate diagnosis from the rehabilitator or strength and conditioning coach or physiotherapist. Ideally, the initial stage of treatment involves reducing pain and promoting healing. After pain and swelling reduction, progressive reconditioning treatment begins. Exercises are recommended including physiotherapy sessions and muscle strengthening to target specific goals such as mobility, flexibility training, coordination of balance and joint positioning.

Watch out how Rehabilitation is done at The Sport School to ensure optimum recovery:-

The Sports School, a Kalpen Ventures initiative, in association with JAIN GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS (JGI), a 28-year-old educational conglomerate, aims for a holistic approach to educate and guide students. With 85 institutes across India, JGI not only brings in elite thought leadership, but also focuses on empowering talent across the nation by encouraging curiosity, learning and initiative. JGI’s alumni include over 10+ Arjuna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Awardees and 300+ sportsperson of International and National repute. Our world-class infrastructure and amenities include unbeatable installations that are exclusively designed to optimize the intellectual, personal, and social development of young and professional sportspeople.

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Endurance training generally refers to training the aerobic system as reluctant to the anaerobic system.  The Aerobic energy system uses fats, carbohydrates and proteins for re-synthesizing ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) for energy use. The Anaerobic System provides the body with explosive short term energy without the need for oxygen.

The need for endurance in sports is often asserted as the need of cardiovascular and simple muscular endurance, but the offspring of endurance is far more complex. Endurance is divided into two categories:-

1. General Endurance
2. Specific Endurance

General endurance symbolizes the ability of your whole body to tolerate endurance exercises and reduce fatigue. Whereas, Specific endurance symbolizes the ability to stand against tiredness in sport specific conditions. The better your sport specific endurance, the better you perform at this specific sport. And the better your general endurance the better you can stand longer efforts at your sport.

Endurance training is essential for a variety of endurance sports such as running, cycling, dancing, tennis, football, swimming, badminton, etc. Athletes also undergo endurance training when their sport is not necessarily an endurance sport in the whole sense but it demands some endurance.

Here are some Benefits of Endurance Training for Athletes:-

• Endurance training can boost production of the hormones and helps increase metabolism.
• Endurance training is effective at improving the heart’s ability to pump oxygenated blood and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Reduces the symptoms of depression and boosts confidence and self-esteem. 
• It improves muscle mass and immunity of an athlete
• Improves bone density and overall strength
• It improves mental health and sleep quality

Check out how the students at The Sports School build their endurance for every game!

The Sports School, a Kalpen Ventures initiative, in association with JAIN GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS (JGI), a 28-year-old educational conglomerate, aims for a holistic approach to educate and guide students. With 85 institutes across India, JGI not only brings in elite thought leadership, but also focuses on empowering talent across the nation by encouraging curiosity, learning and initiative. JGI’s alumni include over 10+ Arjuna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Awardees and 300+ sportsperson of International and National repute. Our world-class infrastructure and amenities include unbeatable installations that are exclusively designed to optimize the intellectual, personal, and social development of young and professional sportspeople.

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One of the best examples of success and achievements in both sports and academics is Shikha Tandon, Indian Swimmer & Sports Advisory Board Member at The Sports School. A Jain University Alumni, she also studied biotechnology at Bangalore University. Later, she completed her dual master’s degree in Biology and Biotechnology from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, and then proceeded to work as Science Program Lead at US Anti-doping Agency, Colorado Springs, USA. Currently, she is working with Silicon Valley Exercise Analytics (Svexa), a physical training intelligence software company. 

She has represented India in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian games. She has won 146 national medals, and 36 medals in international competitions, including five gold medals to date. In 2005, she was honored with an Arjuna Award by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. 

Watch her interaction with our team, where she shares her insights on Swimming, Indian Sports & How Young Athletes should shape their careers.

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