IN AN ideal setting, becoming a professional athlete comes after one has finished one's schooling. Athletic development is part and parcel of having a good education. It is a balance that educational institutions must achieve in crafting their sports programs. Sports programs must complement academics as much as academics must support sports programs. It is an ideal track for a career in professional sports. The newly established National Academy of Sports (NAS) aims at providing this for our budding athletes. A balanced curriculum where sports and academics harmonize.
It is not saying that private institutions were amiss in balancing sports and academics. Numerous universities are already able to graduate professional athletes who have been as successful in their chosen fields after their professional sports careers. Some have transitioned to successful business ventures and employment opportunities, while others stayed on and became coaches of their sport.
This reality of life after one's sports career is over is one that amateur athletes should consider. Much like the non-athlete students enrolled in school, "What happens next?" should be a question already be in one's mind even before one finishes school. A career can last until the retirement age of 60 or 65, depending on where you work as young professionals.
For athletes, it is a different case. Much like playing years accorded, a professional athlete's career can last until 30-35 years old. At age 30, you are already battle-tested as a veteran. One cannot just expect to continue playing professionally until 60 or 65 years old.
On this note, the National Sports Academy's prospect in guiding our athletes is a very welcome development. It is also a reminder that playing years are limited, and a good education is also a wise investment aside from developing their athletic skill sets.
With the reality of professional play limited because of the pandemic, amateur athletes must take this time to focus on their academic development vis-a-vis athletic development. With the virus evolving at a staggering rate that the vaccines developed need to keep in stride, the "New Normal" for professional sports is still uncertain. Most leagues prefer having vaccines before attempting a new normal, much like everybody else.
Opportunities for professional sports come and go, but we can control and not let go of the chance to be educated.