Remember those school days when the physical education period was considered an ultimate escape from the academic classes. It was a time of having fun with friends and learning new sports. In this way, sports remained an extracurricular activity in school, and after school, no one took it seriously. Most students who were really into sports had to give up playing in order to focus on their careers.

Cut to 2024, and the landscape has changed. Today, sports education has become a blooming industry with various training courses. However, a full-fledged degree course like the Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports (BPES) stands out by giving students a competitive edge. This four-year integrated programme has given us a major shift in how we see sports education.

What is BPES?

Unlike traditional courses, BPES integrates multiple disciplines, as per the norms of UGC and NEP 2020. Now, the unique thing here is its flexibility, which means you will be eligible for a diploma certificate after completing two years, a bachelor’s degree after three years, and an honours degree certificate after pursuing the full four-year BPES programme. Also, BPES graduates can immediately apply for doctorate course.

BPES is quite different from the regular physical education courses being conducted under the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). For instance, if you are aspiring to become an assistant professor in sports, then it is only possible when you complete a general degree, followed by postgraduate studies, a NET, a CET, and finally a Ph.D. However, this integrated programme will reduce your academic years. Also, BPES focuses more on practical learning due to its precisely designed curriculum. Practical knowledge is crucial for a diverse career in sports and fitness. And this course gives a direct route into the sports industry with its broad curriculum. With BPES, you can get into different sectors such as film and entertainment industry, personal instructor for celebrities, sports event management, sports equipment design and development, sports rehabilitation specialist, sports analytics and data science, sports technology and innovation, adventure sports and tourism, sports retail and merchandising, sports photography and videography, sports psychology, athletic training, sports journalism/broadcasting, corporate wellness and government sports officer, and many more.

BPES—an experiential learning

'India is on its way to being a 'proper sporting nation,'’ says sports presenter Suhail Chandhok in an interview with CNBC TV18. As evidenced by this statement, sports has become a leading industry in the present climate. Several fitness instructors working at gyms or any sports organisations lack accurate knowledge about muscle fitness and sports techniques. Subjects like Anatomy Physiology, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, and Sports Management, focusing on the anatomy of the muscle, help to provide a deep understanding of physical education. These subjects are meticulously designed under the BPES course, where you will learn not just about various sports but also about the muscles of the human body. This knowledge is essential in fields like fitness training and sports nutrition, where misinformation and a lack of knowledge can lead to muscle injuries.

BPES at SBUP

Sri Balaji University, Pune (SBUP) is the place where you can pursue BPES with a nominal fee. The University has state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a standard swimming pool, a national-level gym, highly experienced coaches, and well-maintained basketball, badminton, and football courts. SBUP, being one of the leading B-schools in India, plays a key role in providing comprehensive learning in sports. This means that you will be able to develop leadership skills, critical thinking skills, and managerial skills through wellness programmes conducted in the University campus under the BPES course. From training and conditioning to event management, SBUP’s Department of Sports, Recreation, and Wellness (DSRW) will guide you every step of the way.

BPES at SBUP focuses on practical learning via the 3D virtual labs, which incidentally are provided by only three Universities across the nation, and SBUP is one of them. Through these 3D labs, students can gain in-depth understanding of muscle functioning as compared to the regular sports education courses that teach with the help of formal structure and diagrams.

SBUP is known for quality education and focuses on improving the lives of human beings. One of the biggest advantages of BPES at SBUP is its inclusivity. Students from any academic background can pursue this course, as the curriculum designed for this course is easy to comprehend. Interested students should meet the eligibility criteria, i.e., 50 percent marks for general category students, 40 percent for the schedule tribe category, and 45 percent for the scheduled caste category.

A quick brief to the course

SBUP gives more weightage to practical teaching, which involves classes from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. in the morning and in the late afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The first semester focuses on different games, and the second semester courses emphasise athletics. Further, the third semester includes combative games training. Practicing these multiple games will help you master the basics of sports, and these skills will benefit you in becoming a good trainer.

Additionally, subjects under the BPES programme include sports training, anatomy physiology, sports management, biomechanics, kinesiology, yoga medication, history and principles of physical education, and English.

SBUP prepares students not just for jobs but also for leadership roles in the sports and fitness sectors. Whether you dream of becoming a fitness expert, sports manager, or coach, BPES at SBUP provides the foundation to make a lasting impact in the sports and fitness industry.