No alternative to professionalism in sports management

There is no alternative to professionalism in the field of sports, and this applies universally. Professionalism always provides an edge in performance and management. However, the sports sector in our country has long struggled due to amateurish management practices and weak service delivery. There was a time when professionalism was merely a topic of discussion in books, with very little practical implementation in the sports industry. But times have changed, and sports have become highly competitive. To excel and manage sports effectively, professional management is essential.

The recently concluded T20 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), despite lacking top foreign players, turned out to be a thrilling cricket festival. Thanks to well-maintained pitches across all venues, cricket lovers enjoyed high-scoring matches throughout the tournament. However, off the field, there were numerous scandals and controversies. Issues regarding players' payments—both local and foreign—created significant uproar. Some foreign players even refused to take the field due to unpaid dues. Such disgraceful incidents have been noticed worldwide. The lack of knowledge, foresight, and organizational skills among cricket board officials, coupled with frequent lapses in management, led to the crisis spiraling out of control.

One of the biggest challenges in our sports industry is the lack of organizational skills and entrepreneurial spirit. This has been evident time and again. Despite over five decades of independence, progress in this regard remains disappointing. Ideally, all stakeholders in the sports sector should work together with a unified vision to build a strong sporting culture. Unfortunately, we are still far from achieving this ideal. The failure to make timely and appropriate decisions in sports management has been a major setback. Organizers must embrace the vision, goals, and policies that drive sports forward. Dreams and aspirations are what truly elevate individuals and organizations, yet our sports management has failed to prepare for this reality.

Entrepreneurial development requires support, yet such support has often been lacking in the sports sector. We frequently talk about reforming sports management, but true reform must begin with a change in conscience. How often have we witnessed sports organizers taking proactive and dynamic initiatives? The persistent presence of authoritarianism and a lack of democracy in sports management has prevented many potential leaders from stepping forward. Without inclusivity, how can we expect organizers to take meaningful initiatives?

Sports management in our country is plagued with inconsistencies. Ethics and values should not just be empty words. The fundamental crisis in our sports industry is a leadership vacuum, and this problem must be addressed from within. Simply hoping that things will change with time is not enough. Without unity, the sports industry will continue to be dominated by autocratic and authoritarian management. What we need is a clear roadmap, which could solve many of these existing problems.

For years, self-serving and unethical organizers have jeopardized the immense potential of athletes. However, Bangladesh is now awakening to the need for change. We can no longer allow individual and collective efforts in sports to be wasted. The absence of democracy, dignity, and good governance in sports management must be completely eliminated. In an era of globalization, when sports industries worldwide are advancing rapidly, why should we remain stuck in outdated mindsets?

The country’s sports industry currently lacks clear direction. Setting concrete goals is crucial, as they provide guidance toward achieving success. Many times, we confuse ambition and dreams with goals. Goals are about turning dreams into reality within a defined timeframe through a structured plan. Unfortunately, Bangladesh's sports industry continues to operate in a conventional, unstructured manner. Fifty-three years have passed since independence—how much longer will we continue in this state? Now is the time to embrace change. If we truly wish to transform the situation, we need proper planning. The harsh reality is that without a structured and forward-looking approach, sustainable and modern development in sports will remain uncertain.

The issue of proper evaluation in sports management is rarely given importance. To understand the real situation, self-awareness and deep reflection are necessary. The sports industry in Bangladesh is currently entangled in unrealistic ideas and mismanagement. Despite recognizing these issues, deception continues to be played out in front of the public. Take, for instance, the case of Bangladesh’s participation in the Champions Trophy—everyone knew our realistic chances from the start, yet false hopes were created, leading to greater disappointment. Discussions have also emerged about the accountability and responsibility of cricketers. In the professional world, there is no room for recklessness. Competence, transparency, and a positive mindset are the only acceptable standards.

The leadership in sports must be driven by professional, energetic, and visionary sports organizers. This is the most pressing demand of our time. Without such a transformation, achieving meaningful progress in the sports industry will remain a distant dream.

Author: Columnist and analyst. Former Senior Vice President, AIPS Asia. Lifetime Member, Bangladesh Sports Press Association. Panel Writer, Football Asia.