Athlete (Cricket / Football / Olympic sport)
Become a professional athlete in cricket, football or an Olympic discipline by combining structured training, competition exposure and education. In India this route includes club/academy pathways, National Institute training (NSNIS/SAI), and university sports degrees with trials or sports quotas. Success depends on performance, consistent training and participation in state/national tournaments.
Actions for your grade
- Compete in district/state age-group tournaments regularly
- Find a qualified coach and start a structured training plan
- Balance board exam preparation with training load planning
Your complete path from Grade 10 to Athlete (Cricket / Football / Olympic sport)
Every step you need — from now to your first job.
Many universities admit via CUET or internal trials and offer sports quotas; practical trials and competition record are important.
- NowAny Stream Stream
- ExamsCUET UG
- DegreeB.Sc Physical Education (3 yrs) or B.P.Ed (2 yrs); option to progress to M.P.Ed
- CollegesLakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education Gwalior · Delhi University · Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports Patiala
- CareerAthlete (Cricket / Football / Olympic sport)
Selection is trial-based; focused on elite athlete development and national team pipelines.
- NowAny Stream Stream
- Exams—
- DegreeCertificate/diploma and high-performance training programs (duration varies)
- CollegesNetaji Subhas National Institute of Sports Patiala · Sports Authority of India Sai Centres
- CareerAthlete (Cricket / Football / Olympic sport)
Direct entry through club trials and age-group tournaments; many athletes turn pro without a formal college degree.
- NowAny Stream Stream
- Exams—
- DegreeProfessional academy training leading to contracts with clubs or state teams
- CollegesMumbai Cricket Association Academy · Tata Football Academy Jamshedpur · State Sports Academies
- CareerAthlete (Cricket / Football / Olympic sport)
For off-field careers in management, therapy or coaching; competitive exams like CAT for MBA or university entrance for allied health.
- NowAny Stream Stream
- ExamsCAT
- DegreeMBA (Sports Management, 2 yrs) / BPT (4.5 yrs) / MSc Sports Science
- CollegesIIM Ahmedabad · Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai · Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education Gwalior
- CareerAthlete (Cricket / Football / Olympic sport)
Entrance exams
| Exam | Eligibility | Difficulty | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
CUET UG NTA | Class 12 (any stream) | Medium | May-Jun |
CAT IIMs | Bachelor's degree 50%+ | Very Hard | Nov |
Where to Study
Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.