Sport for development can promote social development through education, health initiatives, and life skills training. It can also increase grassroots participation in sports. Vocational education in sports is needed to fill the growing demand for skilled fitness trainers and professionals in the wellness industry. The Indian wellness industry is estimated to grow rapidly at 20% annually to $1.25 billion by 2024, with fitness constituting over 20% of the market. However, there is a lack of reliable skills training and universal accreditation in the sector, which affects quality and safety. Educational institutions can help address talent shortages by developing accredited wellness education and training programs.

1. Interventions
Sports and Wellness sector

2. Sport for Development
• Social development (education, health, gender and disability
inclusion, adolescent health and life skills education) ASOP Film
• Increasing participation in sports – promote grassroots sports
models (e.g AIFF-FFA grassroots Indian football model
supported by ASOP; Asian Football Development Project, a
not-for-profit Jordanian-based Youth Commission founded by
HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in February 2012)
• Vocational Education in Sports – to fill the demand for skilled
trainers – gym/ fitness/ wellness industry

3. Indian Wellness Industry and
demand for skills education
• Indian wellness industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of
20% to touch INR 875 billion by 2014
• Fitness constitutes more than 20 % of the complete wellness
market
• The industry is growing rapidly with active participation of
national and international brands
• There are over 21,000 health and wellness centres across
India and the number is growing each day

4. Fitness equipment industry
• The fitness equipment market in India is estimated to be
worth Rs 12.5 bn in 2008; and increased to Rs 63.3 bn by
2012.
• The annual growth rate is expected to be around 50%. The key
segments in the sector are the home segment and the
Institutional segment.

5. Drivers & Challenges of fitness
market
Drivers:
• Indians becoming health and fitness conscious
• Growing demand from companies
• Entry of foreign fitness chains / clubs
• Reduction in prices and import duties
• Real estate boom
Challenges
• Lack of R&D facilities in India
• Lack of consumer confidence in Indian equipments
Lack of good fitness trainers
• Lack of space in residential complexes

6. Talent Crunch
• By 2015, wellness services alone have the potential to generate
three million job opportunities
• Very few players offer reliable education with adequate practical
training
• Lack of a universally accepted accreditation or standard of education
affects the quality of training imparted in local academies
• Consumers grapple with unreliable quality of service and even risk
injury due to untrained personnel
• Absence of an accreditation body for recognising wellness courses
restricts the development of good quality training institutes.
• This also deters prospective students from considering such courses
as a viable career alternative.
There is a clear need to motivate private players to
participate in wellness education and training.

7. • Way forward – How can educational
institutions/ Universities play a significant
role in developing this sector and help fill
the demand-supply gaps?