Many people would agree with Mandela on that, having seen the many achievements that sport has brought to communities, ranging from instilling discipline into youngsters, to promoting health and providing financial resources for supporting families.

However, one of the key problems that hinder sports development in many countries is shortage of infrastructure.

Sports is not just an industry for financial gains; it is something more essential than that! People need sports for healthy bodies, social cohesion and development. Such benefits make sports more important than how it is arguably perceived.

If governments, private institutions and individuals should prioritize sports infrastructure, many outcomes can be realised. For example, the youth can start to spend their time on games instead of going for dangerous practices like drug abuse and gambling which are an issue in societies.

In addition to this, diseases, especially non-communicable ones, can be reduced. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds and contributes to preventing and managing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

The WHO also says that physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, physical activity enhances thinking, learning, and judgment skills, and contributes to healthy growth and development in young people.

Yet, despite these benefits, globally, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity.

What will relevant institutions like governments do about such? Is it not high time we encouraged sports among our communities so that we prevent problems instead of dealing with them after they have come against us?

By providing well-equipped sports infrastructure from simple jogging lanes on public roads or parks where people can access simple gymnastic tools, to big ventures like basketball arenas and football stadiums, governments create opportunities for people to participate in physical activities, improving their fitness levels and health, in addition to more benefits that are financial and social.

To illustrate the importance of prioritizing sports infrastructure, let us consider the case of Rwanda, a country that is trying hard to give sports a priority. In recent years, Rwanda has made sizeable efforts to invest in sports facilities and promote sports development.

The BK Arena, for example, a state-of-the-art multi-purpose indoor arena which was opened in 2019, has showcased potential of becoming a hub for sporting events and activities in the country.

Bringing top players to compete in games like basketball, the arena is in some way an inspiration to young players who want to play on the high level.

Working with partners, the government has also set in place various smaller outdoor courts in parts of the country, in addition to instating a car-free day once every month so that people can do physical exercise.

Such smaller courts are a bit more affordable but sustainable not only for athletes to train and compete, but can also provide a good area where spectators can enjoy the games. A spectator may not only enjoy the game, but may also get impressed to participate, as a result, their health and more aspects of their lives can get better.

In such light, countries need to do more. Money invested in sports infrastructure is not money lost. There are many benefits on individual and group level. People who have participated in group sports like basketball can tell you that sports can promote teamwork, discipline, leadership, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial life skills for young people.

Engagement in sports activities can foster positive social interactions and improve self-esteem. Sports facilities can serve as community gathering spaces where young people can socialize, build relationship, and develop a sense of community.



This last point may actually ring a louder bell for governments. Sport can also have a substantial economic impact on the country.



According to Statista, in 2022, the industry’s revenue amounted to nearly 487 billion U.S. dollars and was expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.2 percent between 2022 and 2023. By 2027, the global sports market was expected to be worth over 623 billion U.S. dollars. This massive industry includes the people, activities, and organizations that are involved with producing, facilitating, or organizing sports activities.



The sports industry is a growing sector with immense potential for creating employment and economic opportunities. Investing in sports infrastructure can attract international sporting events, boost tourism, and create job opportunities in various sectors, such as event management, sports coaching, hospitality, and tourism services. This can lead to economic growth, job creation, and enhanced livelihoods for youth.

Investing in sports infrastructure can also contribute to innovation and technology advancement. The development of sports facilities often requires architectural and engineering expertise, leading to advancements in construction techniques and materials.

But beyond that, it is worth emphasizing again that the health of people is a very key point for encouraging sports. Governments should prioritize sports infrastructure as it can have a significant impact on youth livelihood.

By investing in sports facilities, governments can improve the physical health and well-being of youth, enhance social integration and development, create economic opportunities, and stimulate innovation and technological advancement.

※ Views in this writing are the author's own.

REFERENCES:

World Health Organisation (2022) Physical activity, World Health Organisation. Available at: https://www.who.int/ (Accessed: 02 September 2023).

Fraser, A. (2021) SPORT HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD, Global Goals. Available at: https://www.globalgoals.org/news/sport-for-development-and-peace/ (Accessed: 02 September 2023).