Helping Young Athletes Dream Wisely: A Framework for Career Counsellors and Parents

Professional Indian MMA fighter Vicky Singh Tomkyal went viral for working as a night security guard at a marriage hall in Dehradun to support himself financially.

 Stories like Vicky Singh’s are uncomfortable because they remind us of a truth that career counsellors cannot ignore. Exceptional talent does not always translate into financial security. This isn't unique to mixed martial arts but to most sports. In India, while the sporting ecosystem has grown tremendously over the past decade, sustainable careers remain the exception rather than the norm for athletes in many disciplines.

 

Outside a handful of sports and elite performers, many athletes still struggle to build financially sustainable careers. Opportunities vary greatly between sports, cities and states. Institutional support is improving, but we still have a long way to go before we can confidently tell every young athlete, "Yes, you'll definitely be able to make a living doing this."

 

As career counsellors, our role is neither to discourage dreams nor to romanticize them. Our responsibility is to help students make informed decisions based on evidence, opportunity and self-awareness.

 

Based on my passion in sports, and in guiding young people to build careers responsibly, I have created a few frameworks to help in the decision making for every stakeholder – the student/ sportsperson, parent/ guardian, career counsellor

Framework 1 | Identify the category they come under

 

 

Data under this categories are difficult to mine, but these statistics show how unpredictable these paths are.

In the NCAA (highest college level sports), only 1-7% become fully pro. To even become an NCAA athlete, you've already survived years of competition. Yet even within that elite population, only a small minority make it to the highest professional level.

That illustrates just how competitive professional sport really is.

 

Pathway	Description	Percentage of professionals
High-Performance Professional Athlete	This pathway is for students who demonstrate exceptional talent, consistently perform at the highest competitive levels, and have objective evidence that they could potentially earn a livelihood through sport. It is the most rewarding pathway for a select few, but also the highest risk because success depends not only on ability, but also on opportunities, health, finances and the sporting ecosystem.	<1% with less than 0.5% in some sports
Bi-vocational Athlete (Career + Competitive Sport)	This pathway combines a professional career with serious competitive sport. The primary career provides financial stability while the student continues training, competing and remaining open to professional sporting opportunities if they arise. It is often the most balanced and sustainable option for passionate athletes.	2-3%
Sport for Life (Fitness, Recreation & Personal Growth)	This pathway recognises that sport doesn't have to become a profession to be deeply meaningful. Students continue playing for enjoyment, health, friendships, discipline and personal growth while pursuing another primary career. A lifelong love for sport can be just as valuable as making a living from it.	Open to all

Pathway	Risk Level	Questions to explore
High-Performance Professional Athlete	High Risk	What level are they currently competing at? Are they among the best in their district, state or nationally? What do their coaches honestly say about their potential? How many years have they trained seriously? Are there measurable achievements, rankings, medals or tournament performances that support this dream?
Bi-vocational Athlete (Career + Competitive Sport)	Reasonable Risk	Can the student continue competing while pursuing another profession? Are there clubs, leagues or competitions that allow them to keep playing seriously? Could another career provide financial stability while still allowing room for competitive sport?
Sport for Life (Fitness, Recreation and Personal Growth)	Low Risk	Does the student simply love playing the game? Does the sport contribute to their physical health, friendships, discipline and mental well-being? Can they continue enjoying it without making it their primary career?

If we imagined 1,000 children who love playing a sport today, almost all of them would benefit tremendously from sport. A few dozen may compete at a very high level. Only a handful might eventually earn a full-time living from playing. That's why career guidance isn't about deciding whether children should play sports—it is about helping them build a life where their love for sport can thrive, regardless of where they ultimately finish on the pyramid.

 

Career Counsellors Shouldn't Work Alone

No career counsellor can become an expert in every sport.

That's okay.

One of the most valuable things we can do is build relationships with people inside the sporting ecosystem.

That might include:

• Coaches
• Former athletes
• Sports psychologists
• Sports physicians
• Strength and conditioning specialists
• Sports management professionals

Often, one honest conversation with someone who has spent twenty years inside a particular sport is worth far more than hours of online research.

 

Geography Matters More Than We Think (Questions for the family to consider)

One reality families sometimes underestimate is the importance of geography.

Not every city offers the same opportunities.

Not every state has strong leagues, academies or coaching ecosystems for every sport.

Sometimes pursuing excellence requires relocating to another city, or even another state.

But relocation is never simply a sporting decision.

It affects finances, schooling, siblings, careers, support systems and family life.

Some useful questions include:

• Is moving absolutely necessary?
• Can the family sustain the financial cost?
• What educational opportunities will remain available?
• What happens if the sporting career doesn't work out?
• Is this the best decision for the entire family?

These are difficult conversations, but they are necessary ones.

Looking Beyond India

For a small number of athletes, opportunities may also exist overseas.

Some countries have more developed sporting ecosystems, stronger grassroots programmes and clearer professional pathways.

We've already seen athletes of Indian origin represent other nations at the highest levels of international sport after growing up within those sporting systems.

For some families, studying or training abroad may eventually become part of the conversation.

Of course, this requires careful planning around education, finances, immigration and long-term family goals. It isn't the right pathway for everyone, but it is worth considering when appropriate.

 

Framework 2 ( Helping a potential sports professional decide the path in their early days)

A Word to Parents of Younger Children

Parents often ask me,

"My child is eight years old and absolutely loves football (or cricket, badminton or gymnastics). What should we do?"

My advice is usually simple.

Let them play.

Encourage them to enjoy the sport wholeheartedly.

Support good coaching.

Celebrate effort more than trophies.

But at the same time, continue exposing them to many other areas of growth.

Help them discover:

• Reading and communication
• Music
• Art
• Theatre
• Coding and technology
• Additional languages
• Leadership opportunities
• Healthy friendships
• Academic curiosity

Children don't lose by becoming well-rounded.

In fact, these experiences often make them better athletes—and certainly better prepared for life beyond sport.

 

Final Thoughts

Every child deserves the freedom to dream.

But every child also deserves adults who will help them dream wisely.

Career guidance is not about deciding whether a student should pursue sport. It is about helping them understand their strengths, honestly evaluate their performance, recognise the realities of the sporting ecosystem and build a pathway that is both ambitious and sustainable.

Sometimes that journey leads to the Olympic podium.

Sometimes it leads to representing a state team while building a successful professional career.

Sometimes it leads to a lifelong love for the game that enriches health, friendships and character.

All three are meaningful outcomes.

As career counsellors, perhaps our greatest responsibility is not to manufacture dreams or extinguish them, but to help students discover the place where passion, potential and opportunity come together.