Home is the first school and the parents are the first teachers, this old adage holds true for every children. What children experience at home and the atmosphere they are brought up, eventually transform into their character and learning. Youth sports academies are no different. They have the power to mold the career of a young and aspiring athlete in both a positive and a negative way. But running a youth football academy in India isn’t without challenges. Here are the top five challenges in youth sports academies in India.

Also Read: Technology In Sports

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1. Challenge for Youth Sports Academies: Finance

Everything revolves around money these days. There are no free lunches. Be it school or top companies, earning money is the main objective. This holds true for the youth sports academies as well. They are also in this field to earn money and keep their financial resources afloat. But earning money from running a youth sports academy in India is a big challenge.

Maintaining high-quality facilities, hiring experienced coaches, and providing sports equipment require substantial financial resources. To provide these resources to the athletes, academies need money and that money comes from parents. Talented athletes from low-income families often can’t afford to access these academies as a result.

Lack of sponsorship and government funding is also one of the reasons why youth sports academies in India fail at the grassroot level.

Is there a solution?

• Local government should start supporting the academies with the finances.
• Academies can reach out to local businesses or corporations for sponsorships and partnerships.
• Organizing community fundraising events to help support talented but underprivileged athletes.

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2. Challenge for Youth Sports Academies: Inconsistent Coaching Quality

Being someone who has played football in Delhi League, I can vouch for the quality of the coaches at the grassroot level. First point of consideration for academies during the hiring process is often the cost of hiring a coach. They often go with the cheapest one. Some academies even end up hiring a coach without any coaching certificate and some rely on volunteers who may not possess the technical knowledge to guide young athletes.

Like parents at home, coaches play a vital role in shaping the future of a young athlete. If the kids play under the command of a coach who lack the knowledge of coaching, there are high chances that the young kids end up an average player at best.

Is there a solution?

• Academies should hire only certified coaches.
• There should be an exam for coaches to ensure they are updated with the latest techniques and methods.
• Academies should implement a feedback system where athletes and parents can evaluate coaching quality.

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3. Challenge for Youth Sports Academies: Finding a balance between Sports & Education

For young athletes in India, there eventually comes a point when they have to choose between academics and sports, and often it’s the former that wins. Sports demand a consistent and significant time commitment from athletes, leaving little room for other activities. Most parents in India are also employed, and they don’t have the time to micromanage their kids with activities outside school. Additionally, societal pressure to prioritize academics over sports can discourage young athletes from pursuing their dreams, leading to athletes leaving the sports academies.

Is there a solution?

• Like in Europe, Academies in Indian should provide educational support to young athletes.
• Parents should not force their children to choose between academic and sports.
• There should be a clear communication between parents, schools, and coaches.

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4. Challenge for Youth Sports Academies: No Long-Term Development Pathways

The main issue with the most academies in India is the fact that they work as an independent academies. It’s a totally different setup in Europe, where academies work as a budding ground for bigger clubs. And even if academies are independent, they have tie ups with clubs.

In India, young athletes eventually end up overgrowing the academies. Young children often play in tournaments that normally doesn’t lead to any where. There is no clear pathway for athletes to progress from the academy to professional levels. This lack of direction can demotivate young players and even their parents. As a result, most athletes end up leaving the sport entirely.

Is there a solution?

• Parents must choose only those academies that can set up trials with the bigger clubs.
• Academies should have a clear pathway for the young kids.
• Academies should have curated sports programs for every children.

Also Read: Player development in India

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5. Challenge for Youth Sports Academies: Less Focus on Mental Health

Mental health is still a sensitive topic in India. In fact, many parents and even the teachers overlook this subject entirely. But it’s no secret that young athletes feel pressure. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. We should understand that kids who opt for sports feel pressure from academics as well as from their coaches. This can result in talented athletes to lose interest in the sport altogether.

Is there a solution?

• Academies must incorporate mental health professionals into the academy.
• Teaching mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and stress management as part of the training curriculum
• Young athletes must be encouraged to take regular breaks and emphasize the importance of enjoyment in sports.

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Conclusion

Youth sports academies have the potential to shape the future of sports in India. But to achieve that, academies need to follow a clear pathway. Achieving financial sustainability is the biggest motivating factor but improving coaching standards, creating a balance between education and sports as well as prioritizing mental health, academies can play their part in improving the grassroot set up in India. Solving these challenges can pave the way for a brighter future for sports in India.

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