Introduction

  There is no universally accepted classification of Sports management functions. This is because different authors, who were considering different organizations, gave separate classification of management functions. Sports management is similar to the general or administrative management; it performs the same functions as are performed by the management. The functions of office management in brief, are given below:

Planning

Planning is a fundamental function of sports management. All types of organizations prepare plans. Planning our studies, our careers, new products etc. are examples of planning. It is the determination of a course of action to achieve a desired result. Planning concentrates on setting and achieving objectives of an organization. It is an intellectual process. It is characterized as the process of thinking before doing.

Planning function of management precedes all other managerial functions. "Planning is deciding in advance what is to be done. When a manager plans, he projects a course of action for the future, attempting to achieve a consistent, co-ordinate structure of operations aimed at the desired results."

Planning involves projecting the future course of action for the business as a whole and also for different sections within it. Planning is thus the preparatory step for actions and helps in bridging the gap between the present and the future. Since planning is essentially choosing, it is dependent upon the availability of alternatives.

Organizing

It is an important sports managerial activity by which management brings together the human and material resources for the achievement of certain objectives. Organization is the foundation upon which the whole structure of management is built. It may be conceived of as the structuring of functions and duties to be performed by a group of people for the purpose of attaining enterprise objectives.

Organizing is the determining, grouping and arranging of the various activities deemed necessary for the attainment of the objectives,

energizes, activates or moves and that directs or channels behavior towards goals. Motive is a psychological force within an individual that sets him in motion. Behind every human action there is a motive.

Co-ordinating

Along with specialization there must be conscious efforts on the part of the management to see that all activities, carried on by experts and different departments, should contribute to the achievement of the objective of the business. Smooth working of an enterprise and the definite achievement of its objectives depend on sound co-ordination.

Controlling

"To control is to determine what is being accomplished; that is to evaluate performance and, if necessary, to apply corrective measures so that performance takes place according to plan. After the plans are put into action, there can be several hurdles in the achievement of goals. Results may fall short of targets. Direction may be faulty.

Therefore, management must find out what is going wrong, what changes in plans and directions are required and what must be done to set things right. This is the function of control. In words of Anthony, "Management control is the process by which managers assure that resources are obtained and used effectively and efficiently in the accomplishment of an organization's objectives."

Conclusion

Sports management is a relatively new concept in India taught in very few institutes across the country. Sports and games are important for the holistic development of the individual. Today, sports of several kinds are played across nations and with the passage of time huge amounts of money, name, fame, glamour and media attention have become an integral part of any sport. Sports Management is a good subject if you are a lover of sports and want to mix business with it. There is no universally accepted classification of Sports management functions. This is because different authors, who were considering different organizations, gave separate classification of management functions. Sports management is similar to the general or administrative management; it performs the same functions as are performed by the management.