Turning my passion for sports into business skills
My name is Hritish Kakati, I am a Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholar 2021 from India and am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Business in Sports Management at Deakin University.
‘In a world divided into conflicting groups of people based on their race, religion, community or financial status, I see sports as a binding force that brings everyone together.’
Building a career around your passion
For most of my life, I have been an ardent fan of sports, primarily cricket, football and athletics, so carving a career around my passion came naturally to me.
After I graduated from high school, I was interested in pursuing my passion for sports and the business of sports further, so I started searching for sports-related courses and career opportunities. During my search, I learned about sports management, which was a new concept for me as there weren’t many opportunities in India for studying for a career in sports beyond the field. Therefore, I applied to the highly ranked Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University to learn the financial, promotional, legal and managerial aspects of the field of sport.
Uncover the business behind the world of sports
As a teenager, I used to spend hours in front of the TV watching the Indian national cricket team play, this made me wonder what goes on behind the scenes of such sports leagues.
The influence of sports across industries, economies and entertainment has indicated a promising future for the global sports industry. This encouraged me to pursue sports as a profession and learn about the ins and outs of the booming sports market which is expected to be worth over 700 billion U.S. dollars by 2026.
Developing life skills through sports
In a world divided into conflicting groups of people based on their race, religion, community or financial status, I see sports as a binding force that brings everyone together.
Irrespective of where a person comes from or how little two people have in common, from neighbourhood pitches to packed stadiums, as a fan or a player, sports have the power to unite people, communities and even countries. Sports are a crucial vehicle to develop values such as leadership, teamwork, collaboration and agility.
Studying sports management at Deakin University
Ranked one of the best programs in the world, the finest aspect of studying sports management at Deakin University is unquestionably the holistic learning experience. The curriculum covers every aspect of the job a student is about to enter, from negotiating a sponsorship contract to setting up leagues.
Students also get a chance to connect with top players, managers and administrators in the industry and learn the ins and outs of sports business.
‘The industry exposure and internships that Deakin provides help develop strong relationships with international sporting organisations, athletes and international leagues.’
Advice for future students
Being the longest-running sport management course in Australia, this course personally helped me to gain practical experience in managing sports events, coordinating sporting leagues, and working in community-based sporting programs.
If a person wishes to make a career in the business of sports, I would recommend they consider studying at Deakin University. The industry exposure and internships that Deakin provides help develop strong relationships with international sporting organisations, athletes and international leagues.
Lastly, I’d advise all incoming international students to learn basic cooking, pack essential medicines and spend quality time with their loved ones before they leave their home country to start their journey at university.
Quick links
Learn more about Deakin’s Bachelor of Business (Sport Management)
Find out about the Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholarship for Indian students