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Economic Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Wealth - edition 30-Jun-2025 to 6-july-2025
iStock Financially planning for your child's sports career is vastly different from planning for other needs of your child, be it higher education or more. Hence, this should not be approached in a conventional way. Traditional Indian wisdom and lore have never quite celebrated the virtues of sport as a career, allowing it to languish in the shadow of academic pursuits. The new India, however, is starting to wonder as a young brigade of sporting icons—Neeraj Chopra (athletics), Manu Bhaker (shooting), Lakshya Sen (badminton), D. Gukesh (chess)—is making a place for itself in the societal psyche, the stodgy Indian parent has found other reasons to warm up to this career option for one, parents' improved earning and saving ability means that they can provide a financial cushion to the child wanting to explore it as a career path without relying on it as a source of livelihood. Even if the child is unable to scale sporting stardom, they can fund his education to gain lateral entry into a vast array of aligned career options, be it sports management, science and analytics, psychology or coaching, which can also be prestigious and financially rewarding. Financial wherewithal also means they can secure the best facilities and training to ensure the child can compete with the top players in the world. Ajit Menon did just that by sending his son to Madrid, Spain, for football training in 2022. 'Once I realised his seriousness and passion for what he wanted to do, I wanted to pull out all stops to make it possible for him,' says Menon, who is the CEO of PGIM India Mutual Fund. His son, Aymaan, joined the Aquinas American School in Madrid when he was just 15 years old because it had a school program run by one of the top professional football clubs, Getafe CF. A big pull for parents is also the improved financial earnings in terms of prize money and corporate sponsorships for sports other than cricket. Add to it the government nudge, such as the Khelo India initiative, which offers improved infrastructure, training and opportunities, and there is a better chance for kids to compete at the global scale and turn it into a financially viable profession. AYMAANMENON, 18 yrsMumbai/Madrid (Spain) Parents: Ajit & Alinaa, both 54 yrs CAREER GOAL Return to India and play in Indian Super League (football). CAREER TIMELINE 2014Started playing at 8 years. 2014-21 Local football leagues. 2021 Attended 10-day Advanced Real Madrid football camp in Spain. 2022 Joined school in Madrid tied up with Getafe CF (football academy). 2025 Started undergrad at Universidad Europea + professional football club. EXPENSE TIMELINE 2022-2024Rs.30 lakh a year (schooling + Getafe club in Madrid). 2025 onwards Rs.30-35 lakh a year (graduation + football clubs in Madrid). FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015 Rs.75 lakh Revised estimate in 2025 Rs.1.25 crore Current corpus: 75% of the goal funded. Invested in: Currently mutual funds. Despite this optimistic scenario and emergence of the new sporting ecosystem, there are several financial challenges and risks that plague this career option. 'Pursuing a sports career in India involves high risk with no guaranteed returns. Performance risk is significant; despite talent, few reach elite levels. Injuries can abruptly end careers, and the financial burden of coaching, travel and gear is steep and front-loaded,' says Naveen Gogia, Founder & Managing Director, Creed Capital. Ignorance about training expenses, lack of financial preparedness, and need for a back-up plan are among the primary hurdles that parents of sporting aspirants typically deal with. In the cover story this week, we shall try to explain how to overcome these and other shortcomings that are endemic to this career a child wants to pursue a sports career, the immediate concern for parents is financing the journey so that he can avail of the best training. While the initial costs at the recreational level of play are low and manageable, the sudden jump in expenses when he transitions to professional training comes as a Kolkata-based tennis aspirant, Krishnav Jhunjhunwala, 15, first picked up a tennis racket at 6-7 years, the cost was barely Rs.5,000-6,000 a month, including his coaching fee and gear expenses. After initiating professional training at 10-11 years, the expenses shot up nearly 10 times to Rs.50,000-60,000 a month. 'The coaching fee itself has gone up from Rs.3,000 to Rs.15,000, while the beginner rackets that cost Rs.4,000-6,000 have been upgraded and are much more expensive,' says Ashish, Krishnav's father. Krishnav, meanwhile, is making progress; he has won the All India Tennis Association's (AITA) tournament in Sonepat and reached the semi-finals in of the sport, most kids start playing at around 6-7 years, at which point the costs are nominal at Rs.5,000-6,000 a month because it only comprises club or academy fee (Rs.2,000-5,000 a month) and basic equipment or clothes. Within 3-4 years, the child's talent or dedication are clearly visible, and if the parents introduce professional coaching, the prices surge, as do the cost professional coaching fee, parents need to shell out on physical (gym training) and mental fitness (psychologist), advanced equipment and gear, diet and nutrition, as well as match fees for tournaments, which require frequent travel by the kid and parent.'At professional level for, say, badminton, it can cost anywhere between Rs.9-15 lakh per annum because a domestic tournament will cost Rs.50,000-60,000 a week and even as a beginner you will play 5-6 tournaments a year,' says Supriya Devgun, Founder of Badminton Gurukul, an academy co-founded with badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, that aims to bring affordable training to young aspirants.'Before reaching the elite bracket, players typically incur substantial travel and accommodation expenses throughout the year to participate in international level chess tournaments which are necessary to gain ratings,' says Sandeep Singhal, Managing Partner, WestBridge Capital, and Cofounder, WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, the brainchild of chess whiz Viswanathan Anand and Viswan, mom to 18-year-old Omkar Vinod—Kerala's No.1 squash player and currently ranked 18 in India—has tried to bring down the travel costs to Rs.15,000-20,000 per tournament. 'We either try to stay with relatives or he travels alone to cut down the expenses,' says the Bengaluru-based startup owner, who took upon herself the task of navigating his sporting career after her husband's demise in Warrier, meanwhile, has estimated a cost of Rs.25 lakh a year from this year onwards as his 16-year-old son, Jaitirth, the South Zone No.1 golf player, readies to shift gears. 'He is playing the junior national circuit and is aiming to turn pro in four years' time. Last year, he played 10 tournaments and this number is going to double now,' says the Bengaluru-based father who was an NRI for 14 years and returned to India only in 16 yrs Bengaluru Parents: Ranjit & Aparna, 53 & 50 yrs CAREER GOALBecome a professional golfer. CAREER TIMELINE 2015Started playing at 6 years in Lagos, Nigeria. Jan 2024 Started competitive golf. 2024 Ranked No. 1 in South Zone 2025 Playing junior national circuit. Aims to turn pro in four years. EXPENSE TIMELINE Current expenseRs.13 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, tournament fees, fitness, mental coaching) 2025 onwards (estimated) Rs.25 lakh a year FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015Rs.4-5 crore Current corpus Rs.6 crore (for education & golf for 3-5 years) Invested in: Real estate, stocks, mutual funds, fixed deposits, insurance plans, gold. How much does training cost at different stages? Figures are indicative and may vary as per sport and talent. In elite stage, costs are cut if the child gets reward money, sponsors or endorsements. If child is also studying as a back-up plan, it may require an additional Rs.10-20 lakh at 17-18 professional coaching fee can range from Rs.10,000-30,000 a month, depending on the child's talent and the academy or coach's experience, equipment cost varies according to the sport. 'Golf or shooting would be 3-4 times more expensive because the equipment and training costs are higher, with a single golf class costing around Rs.2,000,' says Devgun. For 3-4 times a week, it could add up to Rs.30,000 a month only in coaching fee for professional coaching in cricket can also be Rs.2,000-3,000 an hour and the total cost could go up to Rs.40,000-50,000 a month. 'Cricket, like golf, is a rich man's sport now and needs money if one is serious about turning professional,' says Farhad Daruwala, Founder of Rising Star Cricket Academy in Mumbai, that trains under-privileged kids.'Critically, inflation of sports equipment tends to be much higher than general inflation and imported items are more expensive. This means a 10% general inflation could translate to 15-20% for sports gear,' says Atul Shinghal, Founder & CEO, Scripbox. So a tennis racket can easily come for Rs.20,000 today, while the cost of shooting equipment or golf clubs can run into lakhs. 'Swimming costumes at competitive level can cost Rs.35,000-40,000 and can be worn only 8-9 times,' says Jhunjhunwala, whose daughter had earlier reached national school level championships in while money is needed at this stage, there are few or virtually no sponsors till the time the kid reaches the elite stage and gains recognition or wins tournaments. 'Nobody wants to invest in a non-achiever; only known talents fit the bill. While CSR funds, scholarships and sponsorships are offered to the top talent, it is actually needed by the upcoming talent. If costs are to be brought down, the answer is to integrate sports with education,' suggests government does provide funds to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various initiatives and schemes, and some non-banking financial corporations like Avanse Financial Services offer loans as well, but bank loans are not easy to come by. 'The parents of India's Saina Nehwal, former world number one badminton player, famously took loans for her early badminton career, as individual sports are largely self-funded by parents until elite success,' agrees the child progresses and begins to win tournaments and get ranked at the domestic or international level, the costs surge even further. 'At the elite level, training remains the most significant area of investment, including personalised coaching, access to top-tier trainers, game preparation support, and advanced analytical tools. Travel is another major expense given the international nature of toplevel chess tournaments,' says WestBridge's international tournaments easily costing Rs.2-3 lakh per tour, including air fare and accommodation, the overall cost of training can jump to Rs.20-30 lakh a year. This involves advanced, personalised and intensified coaching, more rigorous physical and mental fitness and physio, and a rise in the number of tournaments to participate good news is that at this stage, some income and financial support start to come in in the form of prize money from wins, sponsorships, CSR funds (corporate social responsibility funds), scholarships, or even public sector jobs. This brings down the costs and eases the financial burden. This is the reason Viswan is planning to start looking for a sponsor from next year as Vinod's all-India ranking has shot up from 235 in 2023 to 18 now, and the reason Jhunjhunwala is looking for colleges that offer scholarships for tennis training for Devgun's assertion that a back-up plan takes away from the focus of reaching top levels, most parents prefer to reach for the safety net of education while allowing their kids to pursue sports. 'Without early financial planning and a strong Plan B, the journey can become financially and emotionally draining,' says Sumit Duseja, Co-founder and CEO, Truemind Capital and Sebi-registered investment adviser: 'There is a very low chance to be a successful sportsperson in India. Hence, a Plan B should always be in place as a fall-back option that supports the child in case success is not achieved as desired.''One needs to have a back-up plan because there is no guarantee in sports. I have given Vinod a time limit of five years to prove himself. He, too, isn't yet sure whether he wants to be a professional squash player or go in an allied field like sports science,' says Viswan. 'Krishnav is excelling in studies, scoring 97.8% in his ICSE class 10 exams last year. As long as he says his studies will not be affected, I'll do everything he wants to do in tennis. Besides, what will he do after 10 years given the short career span? If he doesn't reach the top level, he will opt for engineering in data science or AI,' says JHUNJHUNWALA,15 yrs,Kolkata Parents: Ashish & Nidhi, 48 & 46 yrs CAREER GOALProfessional tennis player/engineering. CAREER TIMELINE 2016-17Started playing at 6-7 years. 2020 Professional training and coaching. 2024 Won AITA tournament in Sonepat. Reached AITA semifinals in Kolkata. 2025 West Bengal U-16 ranked No. 5, U-18 ranked No. 7. EXPENSE TIMELINE Initial expenseRs.50,000-60,000 a year Current expense Rs.3-4 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, travel, tournament fees, fitness) FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015Rs.15-20 lakh Current corpus Rs.20-25 lakh Invested in: Kisan Vikas Patra, with varying maturities for liquidity; stocks and mutual funds. NAVEEN GOGIAFOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, CREED CAPITAL Note:'Pursuing a sports career in India involves high risk, with no guaranteed returns. The financial burden is also steep and front-loaded.' Education vs sports:Why financial strategy differs It's also the reason Menon is spending Rs.30-35 lakh a year, combining Aymaan's football training with his graduation in sports science from one of the top European universities in Spain, Universidad Europea. Warrier too has kept `6 crore corpus for Jaitirth for the next 3-5 years, either for education or golf. He also insists on a four-year degree course, and possibly post-graduation as well. 'If he doesn't reach the required heights, he can get into sports psychology or sports management. The four years will also give him the time to prove himself in golf,' he says.'From 18-21, the child either turns pro or pursues college sports abroad, and international education may require Rs.25-50 lakh. By 22-30, the focus shifts to career transition. Successful athletes need long-term planning and passive income strategies; others may use a pre-built Plan B fund to pivot to alternate careers,' says planning for a sports career is different from that for education goals for various reasons (see Education vs sports). For one, large sums of money can be required at an early age and staggered across a longer period. The higher risk, uncertainty and shorter career spans also call for a unique multi-pronged approach.'Higher education can be a preplanned activity, with the knowledge of approximate cost structure and when the funds will be required. Sports is a skill-based career and one is not aware of the level of competence the child will achieve. These are unknowns for which you have to plan a higher budget, and the plan needs to evolve with skill development,' says Dinesh Rohira, Founder & CEO, requires phased, proactive planning that balances long-term growth, short-term liquidity, and flexibility,' says Gogia. So you need to plan for short-, medium- and longterm expenses in varying instruments. 'It also needs to be slightly open-ended and a secondary budget should also be planned for triggers and sudden changes,' says VINOD18 yrs Bengaluru Parent: Sandhya Viswan, 49 yrs CAREER GOALProfessional squash player or aligned field in sports. CAREER TIMELINE 2016Started at 9 years, played tournaments. 2018 Ranked No. 1 in Kerala. 2023 Started professional training and being ranked in U-19 category. 2025 Has been Kerala No. 1 since 2018 & all-India No. 18 in U-19. EXPENSE TIMELINE Initial expenseRs.50,000 a year Current expense Rs.4-5 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, tournament fees, fitness) FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2012Rs.25 lakh Current corpus Rs.50 lakh (includes other brother's Rs.25 lakh who doesn't need it) Invested in: Traditional insurance plans. 'In the first phase (5-10 years), moderate but consistent investment in basic coaching and equipment is needed; second phase (11-16 years) calls for high, rapidly increasing costs for advanced coaching, tournaments, nutrition and physio; the third phase of elite training (17-21 years) sees peak expenditure for national/international tournaments, professional academies and sports psychologists; and finally, after 21 years, there is potential income generation or investment for an alternative education/career path,' says a first step, start SIPs in equity funds (large, flexi, or multi cap) at the earliest in order to build a large corpus for the long term, which can be used for higher expenses or Plan B needs. You can also invest in the PPF for tax-free payouts and safety.'For this core corpus, I invested nearly 50% in real estate, and the remaining in multiple assets, including stocks, mutual funds, insurance and gold,' says Warrier. 'It's extremely important to hire a financial planner and have a written plan for this goal. I invested in multiple assets, but am currently relying primarily on mutual funds,' says Menon. For medium-term requirements (3-7 year horizon), start SIPs in balanced advantage funds or fixed deposits of varying maturities that can be broken without incurring penalties as and when the need arises. 'I invested in a large number of Post Office Kisan Vikas Patra with small sums and varying maturities for both my children's sports expenses in the second phase,' says Jhunjhunwala. Next, keep an operational buffer for short-term (1-3 year horizon) expenses like equipment and gear purchase or domestic tournaments, investing in liquid, arbitrage or ultra short-duration funds, or even sweep-in fixed deposits. SUPRIYA DEVGUNFOUNDER & MD, BADMINTON GURUKUL Note:'While CSR funds, scholarships and sponsorships are offered to the top talent, it's actually needed by the upcoming talent.' Given the high risk of injury, it is also crucial to have Rs.50 lakh-1 crore medical and personal accident insurance.'If earnings begin, consider setting up a trust or HUF for tax-efficient structuring. In the career phase (after 21 years), preserve wealth with a diversified mix of equity, debt, and REITs, and create passive income through annuities or systematic withdrawals. Throughout, avoid over-locking your capital; in sports, flexibility is just as important as performance,' says Gogia.'It's also important to review the plan on a regular basis, in six months or one year, depending on the career progress of the child,' advises Rohira. Long-term investment For core corpusStart saving for the child's goal, be it sport or education, at birth. This will help build a large corpus for expensive, professional training if he chooses a sport. Or, if the sports career doesn't work out, it can be used for education in aligned fields later. Where to invest Large-cap, multi-cap or flexi-cap equity mutual funds; PPF. Medium-term investment For professional trainingIn the second phase of his training between 11 and 16 years, expenses will suddenly spiral as he moves from casual to professional training and large sums will be needed for coaching, equipment and tours for tournaments. Where to invest Balanced advantage and equity savings funds, or medium-term fixed deposits for staggered withdrawals. Short-term investment For operational expenses You will need some funds throughout his sporting journey for equipment and gear, fitness, travel and coaching fees. Where to invest Liquid or ultra short-duration funds, or sweep-in fixed deposits.
Economic Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Does your kid want to be the next Kohli, Ronaldo? Financial planning for kid's sports career needs a different strategy than for education, here's a guide
iStock Financially planning for your child's sports career is vastly different from planning for other needs of your child, be it higher education or more. Hence, this should not be approached in a conventional way. Traditional Indian wisdom and lore have never quite celebrated the virtues of sport as a career, allowing it to languish in the shadow of academic pursuits. The new India, however, is starting to wonder why. Even as a young brigade of sporting icons—Neeraj Chopra (athletics), Manu Bhaker (shooting), Lakshya Sen (badminton), D. Gukesh (chess)—is making a place for itself in the societal psyche, the stodgy Indian parent has found other reasons to warm up to this career option for kids. For one, parents' improved earning and saving ability means that they can provide a financial cushion to the child wanting to explore it as a career path without relying on it as a source of livelihood. Even if the child is unable to scale sporting stardom, they can fund his education to gain lateral entry into a vast array of aligned career options, be it sports management, science and analytics, psychology or coaching, which can also be prestigious and financially rewarding. Financial wherewithal also means they can secure the best facilities and training to ensure the child can compete with the top players in the world. Ajit Menon did just that by sending his son to Madrid, Spain, for football training in 2022. 'Once I realised his seriousness and passion for what he wanted to do, I wanted to pull out all stops to make it possible for him,' says Menon, who is the CEO of PGIM India Mutual Fund. His son, Aymaan, joined the Aquinas American School in Madrid when he was just 15 years old because it had a school program run by one of the top professional football clubs, Getafe CF. A big pull for parents is also the improved financial earnings in terms of prize money and corporate sponsorships for sports other than cricket. Add to it the government nudge, such as the Khelo India initiative, which offers improved infrastructure, training and opportunities, and there is a better chance for kids to compete at the global scale and turn it into a financially viable profession. AYMAANMENON, 18 yrsMumbai/Madrid (Spain) Parents: Ajit & Alinaa, both 54 yrs CAREER GOALReturn to India and play in Indian Super League (football). CAREER TIMELINE 2014Started playing at 8 years. 2014-21 Local football leagues. 2021 Attended 10-day Advanced Real Madrid football camp in Spain. 2022 Joined school in Madrid tied up with Getafe CF (football academy). 2025 Started undergrad at Universidad Europea + professional football club. EXPENSE TIMELINE 2022-2024Rs.30 lakh a year (schooling + Getafe club in Madrid). 2025 onwards Rs.30-35 lakh a year (graduation + football clubs in Madrid). FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015 Rs.75 lakh Revised estimate in 2025 Rs.1.25 crore Current corpus: 75% of the goal funded. Invested in: Currently mutual funds. Despite this optimistic scenario and emergence of the new sporting ecosystem, there are several financial challenges and risks that plague this career option. 'Pursuing a sports career in India involves high risk with no guaranteed returns. Performance risk is significant; despite talent, few reach elite levels. Injuries can abruptly end careers, and the financial burden of coaching, travel and gear is steep and front-loaded,' says Naveen Gogia, Founder & Managing Director, Creed Capital. Ignorance about training expenses, lack of financial preparedness, and need for a back-up plan are among the primary hurdles that parents of sporting aspirants typically deal with. In the cover story this week, we shall try to explain how to overcome these and other shortcomings that are endemic to this career option. Financial challenges When a child wants to pursue a sports career, the immediate concern for parents is financing the journey so that he can avail of the best training. While the initial costs at the recreational level of play are low and manageable, the sudden jump in expenses when he transitions to professional training comes as a Kolkata-based tennis aspirant, Krishnav Jhunjhunwala, 15, first picked up a tennis racket at 6-7 years, the cost was barely Rs.5,000-6,000 a month, including his coaching fee and gear expenses. After initiating professional training at 10-11 years, the expenses shot up nearly 10 times to Rs.50,000-60,000 a month. 'The coaching fee itself has gone up from Rs.3,000 to Rs.15,000, while the beginner rackets that cost Rs.4,000-6,000 have been upgraded and are much more expensive,' says Ashish, Krishnav's father. Krishnav, meanwhile, is making progress; he has won the All India Tennis Association's (AITA) tournament in Sonepat and reached the semi-finals in of the sport, most kids start playing at around 6-7 years, at which point the costs are nominal at Rs.5,000-6,000 a month because it only comprises club or academy fee (Rs.2,000-5,000 a month) and basic equipment or clothes. Within 3-4 years, the child's talent or dedication are clearly visible, and if the parents introduce professional coaching, the prices surge, as do the cost heads. Professional stage Besides professional coaching fee, parents need to shell out on physical (gym training) and mental fitness (psychologist), advanced equipment and gear, diet and nutrition, as well as match fees for tournaments, which require frequent travel by the kid and parent.'At professional level for, say, badminton, it can cost anywhere between Rs.9-15 lakh per annum because a domestic tournament will cost Rs.50,000-60,000 a week and even as a beginner you will play 5-6 tournaments a year,' says Supriya Devgun, Founder of Badminton Gurukul, an academy co-founded with badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, that aims to bring affordable training to young aspirants.'Before reaching the elite bracket, players typically incur substantial travel and accommodation expenses throughout the year to participate in international level chess tournaments which are necessary to gain ratings,' says Sandeep Singhal, Managing Partner, WestBridge Capital, and Cofounder, WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, the brainchild of chess whiz Viswanathan Anand and Viswan, mom to 18-year-old Omkar Vinod—Kerala's No.1 squash player and currently ranked 18 in India—has tried to bring down the travel costs to Rs.15,000-20,000 per tournament. 'We either try to stay with relatives or he travels alone to cut down the expenses,' says the Bengaluru-based startup owner, who took upon herself the task of navigating his sporting career after her husband's demise in Warrier, meanwhile, has estimated a cost of Rs.25 lakh a year from this year onwards as his 16-year-old son, Jaitirth, the South Zone No.1 golf player, readies to shift gears. 'He is playing the junior national circuit and is aiming to turn pro in four years' time. Last year, he played 10 tournaments and this number is going to double now,' says the Bengaluru-based father who was an NRI for 14 years and returned to India only in 2024. JAITIRTHWARRIER, 16 yrs Bengaluru Parents: Ranjit & Aparna, 53 & 50 yrs CAREER GOALBecome a professional golfer. CAREER TIMELINE 2015Started playing at 6 years in Lagos, Nigeria. Jan 2024 Started competitive golf. 2024 Ranked No. 1 in South Zone 2025 Playing junior national circuit. Aims to turn pro in four years. EXPENSE TIMELINE Current expenseRs.13 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, tournament fees, fitness, mental coaching) 2025 onwards (estimated) Rs.25 lakh a year FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015Rs.4-5 crore Current corpus Rs.6 crore (for education & golf for 3-5 years) Invested in: Real estate, stocks, mutual funds, fixed deposits, insurance plans, gold. How much does training cost at different stages? Figures are indicative and may vary as per sport and talent. In elite stage, costs are cut if the child gets reward money, sponsors or endorsements. If child is also studying as a back-up plan, it may require an additional Rs.10-20 lakh at 17-18 professional coaching fee can range from Rs.10,000-30,000 a month, depending on the child's talent and the academy or coach's experience, equipment cost varies according to the sport. 'Golf or shooting would be 3-4 times more expensive because the equipment and training costs are higher, with a single golf class costing around Rs.2,000,' says Devgun. For 3-4 times a week, it could add up to Rs.30,000 a month only in coaching fee for professional coaching in cricket can also be Rs.2,000-3,000 an hour and the total cost could go up to Rs.40,000-50,000 a month. 'Cricket, like golf, is a rich man's sport now and needs money if one is serious about turning professional,' says Farhad Daruwala, Founder of Rising Star Cricket Academy in Mumbai, that trains under-privileged kids.'Critically, inflation of sports equipment tends to be much higher than general inflation and imported items are more expensive. This means a 10% general inflation could translate to 15-20% for sports gear,' says Atul Shinghal, Founder & CEO, Scripbox. So a tennis racket can easily come for Rs.20,000 today, while the cost of shooting equipment or golf clubs can run into lakhs. 'Swimming costumes at competitive level can cost Rs.35,000-40,000 and can be worn only 8-9 times,' says Jhunjhunwala, whose daughter had earlier reached national school level championships in while money is needed at this stage, there are few or virtually no sponsors till the time the kid reaches the elite stage and gains recognition or wins tournaments. 'Nobody wants to invest in a non-achiever; only known talents fit the bill. While CSR funds, scholarships and sponsorships are offered to the top talent, it is actually needed by the upcoming talent. If costs are to be brought down, the answer is to integrate sports with education,' suggests government does provide funds to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for various initiatives and schemes, and some non-banking financial corporations like Avanse Financial Services offer loans as well, but bank loans are not easy to come by. 'The parents of India's Saina Nehwal, former world number one badminton player, famously took loans for her early badminton career, as individual sports are largely self-funded by parents until elite success,' agrees Shinghal. Elite stage As the child progresses and begins to win tournaments and get ranked at the domestic or international level, the costs surge even further. 'At the elite level, training remains the most significant area of investment, including personalised coaching, access to top-tier trainers, game preparation support, and advanced analytical tools. Travel is another major expense given the international nature of toplevel chess tournaments,' says WestBridge's international tournaments easily costing Rs.2-3 lakh per tour, including air fare and accommodation, the overall cost of training can jump to Rs.20-30 lakh a year. This involves advanced, personalised and intensified coaching, more rigorous physical and mental fitness and physio, and a rise in the number of tournaments to participate good news is that at this stage, some income and financial support start to come in in the form of prize money from wins, sponsorships, CSR funds (corporate social responsibility funds), scholarships, or even public sector jobs. This brings down the costs and eases the financial burden. This is the reason Viswan is planning to start looking for a sponsor from next year as Vinod's all-India ranking has shot up from 235 in 2023 to 18 now, and the reason Jhunjhunwala is looking for colleges that offer scholarships for tennis training for Krishnav. Time for a back-up plan Despite Devgun's assertion that a back-up plan takes away from the focus of reaching top levels, most parents prefer to reach for the safety net of education while allowing their kids to pursue sports. 'Without early financial planning and a strong Plan B, the journey can become financially and emotionally draining,' says Sumit Duseja, Co-founder and CEO, Truemind Capital and Sebi-registered investment adviser: 'There is a very low chance to be a successful sportsperson in India. Hence, a Plan B should always be in place as a fall-back option that supports the child in case success is not achieved as desired.''One needs to have a back-up plan because there is no guarantee in sports. I have given Vinod a time limit of five years to prove himself. He, too, isn't yet sure whether he wants to be a professional squash player or go in an allied field like sports science,' says Viswan. 'Krishnav is excelling in studies, scoring 97.8% in his ICSE class 10 exams last year. As long as he says his studies will not be affected, I'll do everything he wants to do in tennis. Besides, what will he do after 10 years given the short career span? If he doesn't reach the top level, he will opt for engineering in data science or AI,' says Jhunjhunwala. KRISHNAV JHUNJHUNWALA,15 yrs,Kolkata Parents: Ashish & Nidhi, 48 & 46 yrs CAREER GOALProfessional tennis player/engineering. CAREER TIMELINE 2016-17Started playing at 6-7 years. 2020 Professional training and coaching. 2024 Won AITA tournament in Sonepat. Reached AITA semifinals in Kolkata. 2025 West Bengal U-16 ranked No. 5, U-18 ranked No. 7. EXPENSE TIMELINE Initial expenseRs.50,000-60,000 a year Current expense Rs.3-4 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, travel, tournament fees, fitness) FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2015Rs.15-20 lakh Current corpus Rs.20-25 lakh Invested in: Kisan Vikas Patra, with varying maturities for liquidity; stocks and mutual funds. NAVEEN GOGIAFOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, CREED CAPITAL Note:'Pursuing a sports career in India involves high risk, with no guaranteed returns. The financial burden is also steep and front-loaded.' Education vs sports:Why financial strategy differs It's also the reason Menon is spending Rs.30-35 lakh a year, combining Aymaan's football training with his graduation in sports science from one of the top European universities in Spain, Universidad Europea. Warrier too has kept `6 crore corpus for Jaitirth for the next 3-5 years, either for education or golf. He also insists on a four-year degree course, and possibly post-graduation as well. 'If he doesn't reach the required heights, he can get into sports psychology or sports management. The four years will also give him the time to prove himself in golf,' he says.'From 18-21, the child either turns pro or pursues college sports abroad, and international education may require Rs.25-50 lakh. By 22-30, the focus shifts to career transition. Successful athletes need long-term planning and passive income strategies; others may use a pre-built Plan B fund to pivot to alternate careers,' says Gogia. Financial planning Financial planning for a sports career is different from that for education goals for various reasons (see Education vs sports). For one, large sums of money can be required at an early age and staggered across a longer period. The higher risk, uncertainty and shorter career spans also call for a unique multi-pronged approach.'Higher education can be a preplanned activity, with the knowledge of approximate cost structure and when the funds will be required. Sports is a skill-based career and one is not aware of the level of competence the child will achieve. These are unknowns for which you have to plan a higher budget, and the plan needs to evolve with skill development,' says Dinesh Rohira, Founder & CEO, requires phased, proactive planning that balances long-term growth, short-term liquidity, and flexibility,' says Gogia. So you need to plan for short-, medium- and longterm expenses in varying instruments. 'It also needs to be slightly open-ended and a secondary budget should also be planned for triggers and sudden changes,' says Rohira. OMKAR VINOD18 yrs Bengaluru Parent: Sandhya Viswan, 49 yrs CAREER GOALProfessional squash player or aligned field in sports. CAREER TIMELINE 2016Started at 9 years, played tournaments. 2018 Ranked No. 1 in Kerala. 2023 Started professional training and being ranked in U-19 category. 2025 Has been Kerala No. 1 since 2018 & all-India No. 18 in U-19. EXPENSE TIMELINE Initial expenseRs.50,000 a year Current expense Rs.4-5 lakh a year (coaching, equipment, travel, nutrition, tournament fees, fitness) FINANCIAL PLANNING Goal estimate in 2012Rs.25 lakh Current corpus Rs.50 lakh (includes other brother's Rs.25 lakh who doesn't need it) Invested in: Traditional insurance plans. 'In the first phase (5-10 years), moderate but consistent investment in basic coaching and equipment is needed; second phase (11-16 years) calls for high, rapidly increasing costs for advanced coaching, tournaments, nutrition and physio; the third phase of elite training (17-21 years) sees peak expenditure for national/international tournaments, professional academies and sports psychologists; and finally, after 21 years, there is potential income generation or investment for an alternative education/career path,' says a first step, start SIPs in equity funds (large, flexi, or multi cap) at the earliest in order to build a large corpus for the long term, which can be used for higher expenses or Plan B needs. You can also invest in the PPF for tax-free payouts and safety.'For this core corpus, I invested nearly 50% in real estate, and the remaining in multiple assets, including stocks, mutual funds, insurance and gold,' says Warrier. 'It's extremely important to hire a financial planner and have a written plan for this goal. I invested in multiple assets, but am currently relying primarily on mutual funds,' says Menon. For medium-term requirements (3-7 year horizon), start SIPs in balanced advantage funds or fixed deposits of varying maturities that can be broken without incurring penalties as and when the need arises. 'I invested in a large number of Post Office Kisan Vikas Patra with small sums and varying maturities for both my children's sports expenses in the second phase,' says Jhunjhunwala. Next, keep an operational buffer for short-term (1-3 year horizon) expenses like equipment and gear purchase or domestic tournaments, investing in liquid, arbitrage or ultra short-duration funds, or even sweep-in fixed deposits. SUPRIYA DEVGUNFOUNDER & MD, BADMINTON GURUKUL Note:'While CSR funds, scholarships and sponsorships are offered to the top talent, it's actually needed by the upcoming talent.' Given the high risk of injury, it is also crucial to have Rs.50 lakh-1 crore medical and personal accident insurance.'If earnings begin, consider setting up a trust or HUF for tax-efficient structuring. In the career phase (after 21 years), preserve wealth with a diversified mix of equity, debt, and REITs, and create passive income through annuities or systematic withdrawals. Throughout, avoid over-locking your capital; in sports, flexibility is just as important as performance,' says Gogia.'It's also important to review the plan on a regular basis, in six months or one year, depending on the career progress of the child,' advises Rohira. Long-term investment For core corpusStart saving for the child's goal, be it sport or education, at birth. This will help build a large corpus for expensive, professional training if he chooses a sport. Or, if the sports career doesn't work out, it can be used for education in aligned fields later. Where to invest Large-cap, multi-cap or flexi-cap equity mutual funds; PPF. Medium-term investment For professional trainingIn the second phase of his training between 11 and 16 years, expenses will suddenly spiral as he moves from casual to professional training and large sums will be needed for coaching, equipment and tours for tournaments. Where to invest Balanced advantage and equity savings funds, or medium-term fixed deposits for staggered withdrawals. Short-term investment For operational expenses You will need some funds throughout his sporting journey for equipment and gear, fitness, travel and coaching fees. Where to invest Liquid or ultra short-duration funds, or sweep-in fixed deposits. No trending terms available.
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
How to Buy 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Tickets: Discount Promo Code
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The first stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is set to begin on Saturday with a fixture between Al Ahly and Inter Miami, and now is the time to secure your seats. Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets The FIFA Club World Cup trophy is displayed before the Spanish league football match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, on April 23, 2025. The Club... The FIFA Club World Cup trophy is displayed before the Spanish league football match between Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, on April 23, 2025. The Club World Cup trophy is touring for 147 days in 20 countries and 29 cities worlwide. More THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is sure to be a massive draw for soccer fans across the country and the rest of the world, as the top clubs in the world compete in this high-level tournament. For the first time, the United States has the honor of being the host country in what is now an expanded 32-team field. Matches will run all the way until July 13th, with games taking place in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., Charlotte, and Nashville. This is an excellent opportunity for fans in the United States to catch their favorite club teams and players in action. We don't get the chance very often in the States to see players like Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain play live, so you'll want to make sure not to miss out. Click on any of the links to order your tickets now for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Vivid Seats Promo Code Use promo code NEWSWEEK20 to get $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200 or more (before taxes and fees). Offer valid for new customers only. Soccer Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August... Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the Leagues Cup 2023 semifinals match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on August 15, 2023 in Chester, Pennsylvania. More2025 FIFA Club World Cup Schedule Saturday, 14 June Group A: Al Ahly FC v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 20:00 Sunday, 15 June Group C: FC Bayern München v Auckland City FC - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Atlético de Madrid - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: SE Palmeiras v FC Porto - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group B: Botafogo v Seattle Sounders FC - Lumen Field, Seattle, 19:00 Monday, 16 June Group D: Chelsea FC v LAFC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group C: CA Boca Juniors v SL Benfica - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 18:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Espérance - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Tuesday, 17 June Group F: Fluminense FC v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group E: CA River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Ulsan HD v Mamelodi Sundowns FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 18:00 Group E: CF Monterrey v FC Internazionale Milano - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Wednesday, 18 June Group G: Manchester City v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v Al Hilal - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group H: CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 18:00 Group G: Al Ain FC v Juventus FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 21:00 Thursday, 19 June Group A: SE Palmeiras v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v FC Porto - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Atlético de Madrid - Lumen Field, Seattle, 15:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Friday, 20 June Group C: SL Benfica v Auckland City FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 12:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 14:00 Group D: LAFC v Espérance - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 17:00 Group C: FC Bayern München v CA Boca Juniors - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Saturday, 21 June Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Fluminense FC v Ulsan HD - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group E: CA River Plate v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Sunday, 22 June Group G: Juventus FC v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v CF Pachuca - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Al Hilal - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 18:00 Group G: Manchester City v Al Ain FC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Monday, 23 June Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Paris Saint-Germain - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group B: Atlético de Madrid v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v SE Palmeiras - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Group A: FC Porto v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 21:00 Tuesday, 24 June Group C: Auckland City FC v CA Boca Juniors - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 14:00 Group C: SL Benfica v FC Bayern München - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group D: LAFC v CR Flamengo - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Group D: Espérance v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Wednesday, 25 June Group F: Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 15:00 Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Fluminense FC - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v CA River Plate - Lumen Field, Seattle, 18:00 Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Thursday, 26 June Group G: Juventus FC v Manchester City - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Group G: Wydad AC v Al Ain FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 15:00 Group H: Al Hilal v CF Pachuca - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 20:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C. F. - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Round of 16 fixtures Saturday, 28 June Match 49: Group A winners v Group B runners-up - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Match 50: Group C winners v Group D runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 16:00 Sunday, 29 June Match 51: Group B winners v Group A runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 52: Group D winners v Group C runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 16:00 Monday, 30 June Match 53: Group E winners v Group F runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Match 54: Group G winners v Group H runners-up - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Tuesday, 1 July Match 55: Group H winners v Group G runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Match 56: Group F winners v Group E runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Quarter-final fixtures Friday, 4 July Match 57: Winner match 53 v Winner match 54 - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Match 58: Winner match 49 v Winner match 50 - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Saturday, 5 July Match 59: Winner match 51 v Winner match 52 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 60: Winner match 55 v Winner match 56 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 16:00 Semi-final fixtures Tuesday, 8 July Match 61: Winner match 57 v Winner match 58 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Wednesday, 9 July Match 62: Winner match 59 v Winner match 60 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 FIFA Club World Cup Final Sunday, 13 July Match 63: Winner match 61 v Winner match 62 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Fran Beltran vs. Getafe CF – Player props & odds to score a goal on May 24
Fran Beltran vs. Getafe CF – Player props & odds to score a goal on May 24 [gambcom-standard rankid="4130" ] Will Fran Beltran find the back of the net when RC Celta de Vigo takes on Getafe CF on Saturday, May 24 at 3:00 PM ET? For updated stats and anytime goalscorer odds, continue reading. Celta de Vigo's last game was a 2-1 loss at home against Rayo Vallecano, taking 10 shots and outshooting Rayo Vallecano by three. Keep up with LaLiga action this season on Fubo! Fran Beltran's Odds to Score a Goal vs. Getafe CF Odds to score a goal next game: +1100 Soccer player prop odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 12:40 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. [gambcom-standard rankid="4142" ] Fran Beltran's 2024-25 Stats This season, he has scored a goal in two matches (out of 37 played). Looking at expected goals, Beltran (0.4 xG) is 1.6 below his actual goal total (two). Thus far in the 2024-25 season, he has attempted 15 shots (0.4 per match), with three being on target. RC Celta de Vigo vs. Getafe CF Scoring Insights Offensively, Celta de Vigo is fifth in LaLiga (57 goals, 1.5 per match). And defensively, Getafe is third (37 goals conceded, one per match). Offensively, Getafe is 19th in LaLiga (33 goals, 0.9 per match). And defensively, Celta de Vigo is 16th (56 goals conceded, 1.5 per match). Celta de Vigo is seventh in LaLiga in goal differential at +1. In terms of goal differential, Getafe is eighth in LaLiga at -4. RC Celta de Vigo vs. Getafe CF Match Info Matchup: Celta de Vigo at Getafe Celta de Vigo at Getafe Time: 3:00 PM ET 3:00 PM ET Date: May 24, 2025 May 24, 2025 Venue: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Live stream: Watch this game on ESPN+ Watch RC Celta de Vigo vs. Getafe CF on ESPN+ More Player Props: [gambcom-standard rankid="4338" ]
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Watch Getafe CF vs. RC Celta de Vigo Online: Live Stream, Start Time
Watch Getafe CF vs. RC Celta de Vigo Online: Live Stream, Start Time While RC Celta de Vigo is in seventh place, in the top half of the league table, Getafe CF is in 13th, residing in the bottom half. Celta de Vigo lost its last game 2-1 against Rayo Vallecano at home on May 18. Celta de Vigo fell short despite outshooting its opponent 10 to seven. In its most recent action on May 18, Getafe defeated RCD Mallorca 2-1 on the road. Both teams had eight shots. Here is everything you need to get ready for Saturday's soccer action. Watch Getafe vs. Celta de Vigo online Match Day: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Saturday, May 24, 2025 Match Time: 3:00 PM ET 3:00 PM ET Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Live Stream on ESPN: Watch La Liga on ESPN+! For more soccer coverage, check out our new website Pro Soccer Wire. La Liga odds and betting lines Soccer odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 3:30 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
