Into the Unknown

"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." - Kobe Bryant

Exploring the Unknown

“We have sports courses?” Many have wondered the relevance of sports management or sports courses in general, and how this is as important as the major courses of law and medicine. Here, we look into the availability of sports courses in Philippine universities, its curriculum, job opportunities, the Philippine sports industry, and its importance, to encourage learners into acknowledging and taking up the said course.

In the Philippines, known universities now offer sports courses; thus, shedding light on its various areas of expertise. The University of Santo Tomas, amongst many universities, offers sports courses such as Sports Science in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, and Sports Management in the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics. Both courses allow you to delve in the field of sports; however, both differ in terms of expertise. The BPE Sports and Wellness Management program offers a wide range of opportunities and options to choose from, as it effectively boosts the specialties in the areas of sports marketing, sports law, sports finance, sports entrepreneurship, as well as sports sciences. Well-known universities such as Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, and several others, offer sports courses as well.

If you want to pursue sports degrees in the tertiary level, you might want to consider the program that will fit your educational goals. As mentioned, Philippine universities like UST offer sports degrees. It is best to know that each program is different, and it may not be compatible with your area of interest. It is essential to look into every program’s structure and curriculum to ensure what will go well with you in meeting the current industry’s demands. With that being said, we will delve into the sports programs offered in UST such as Sports and Wellness Management and Sports Science, and learn what makes them similar, but different at the same time.

Sports and Wellness Management involves and gives importance to the business and management side of sports-related products and services. In other words, it is a program for the corporate industry; thus, it covers business classes such as accounting, marketing, and finance. Additionally, it provides learners the maximum opportunity to be equipped with knowledge in sports, fitness, and health.

The first two years of this program tackle health-related subjects such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, ergogenics, etc., along with the general education subjects. The latter years then center on business classes where students are also assigned to different industry settings to have their immersions. This exposure allows them to grow in the competitive nature of sports management. The career opportunities of a sports management graduate include being a Sports Brand Manager, Sports Marketing Officer, Fitness Consultant, and the like.

Sports Science, on the other hand, is a combination of various disciplines, and centers primarily on the scientific principles behind exercise performance. This program covers psychology, physiology, nutrition, and the like that relate to the relationship between exercise and the human body. Compared to sports management, this program allows learners to pursue further studies or specializations. It can be considered as a preparatory program for medicine.

Delving in to the sports industry of the Philippines, it can be said that it is a huge source of revenue and employment. It is estimated to contribute as much as 2% to the GDP, which could be as much as $5 billion to the economy. In the present time, sports businesses have a significant effect in at least 55 industry sectors, that of which includes tourism, health and wellness, and marketing and manufacturing.

The current state of our sports industry is evidently growing; however, we have a long way to go in establishing a strong foundation, as well as ensuring its support from government leaders and the sports industry itself. Athlete needs and sporting events have a lot of potential sources of financial support. There are certainly times when the government cuts its budget for the sports industry such as the 33% budget cut in the SEA Games 2019, but the government now assures that it spends adequate funds on athletes and sports events. Since the country started sending athletes to compete abroad, there has been a lack in management professionals who specialize in handling athletic talent and who are knowledgeable on the local and international sports industry. This is why there is a great need to professionalize sports management, and amplify sports management education.

Sports courses are obviously as equally important as other courses, as it provides just as many opportunities for people majoring in them. A sports management degree will arm a person with basic skills in finance, management, marketing, and possibly a vast knowledge in scientific principles if you are in the sports science program. With this, graduates can take advantage of various sports-related opportunities that will be opened to them upon exposure to the industry.

To conclude this, the Philippine sports industry definitely has a lot to work on in terms of its lack of foundation and sports professionals, but the gradual increase of universities offering sports courses and making them known may be stepping stones in its further promotion within the universities or even within the country. Sports courses aren’t just for athletes, nor are they limited to being fitness professionals. Aside from promoting the said course, it is also time we erase its stereotypes in relation to it being an easy course. We ought to be thought of as in par with other courses, because we are. We ought to be known. Sports course? Of course!