The Red Card Group, Singapore, launches ‘Study + Play Asia”, a diploma program for international students across the world. In this 10 month diploma program, players undergo courses to gain qualifications in Coaching, as well as a Diploma in Sport, alongside training full-time with professional coaches and ex-professional players. Students of Study + Play Asia will be put to test against the professional football teams around South East Asia. The first batch of the Study + Play Asia course will be inducted into the program in January 2013.

The Diploma in Sport Management will give participants a sound understanding of the nature and meaning of sport and leisure, as well as planning and management of financial, human and environment resources to meet the needs of sport business, leisure and the entertainment industries. The 10 month course is a focused development program for sports enthusiasts across the world who would intend to study and hone their skills on the field too. 

These young professionals will be accommodated for a stint of 10 months at strategically located and well equipped hostels. As a part of the course fees of $45000, the students will also be provided with a well balanced diet which will help keep them agile and in shape. The course is designed in a way that students are attended lectures for half the day and the other half they spend on the field with professional coaches.

Speaking at the announcement,  R. Sasikumar, Group Managing Director, Red Card Group said, “The aim of this program is to offer more than just the usual 'football education' or development program. 

We are offering players the best utilities and tools to make a career in the world of football. Study + Play Asia is a program that we are offering to the youth across the globe to come and gain first hand experience of their dream job. We are hopeful to give every student of ours an equal opportunity to be scouted and placed at professional clubs at the end of their course. Our partners Genova International based in Italy have successfully placed more than 50 players in Europe in the last 5 years.”

The Diploma in Sports Management course is accredited by the University of Wolverhampton. Students from 18 – 23 age group can also enroll for this program online. The course would include subjects like Accounting and Finance, Marketing Research, Sport Management, Business Statistics, Business Law (Sports), Sport Marketing, HRM in Sports (Service Quality in Sport) and Business Communication.