JANUARY 2021
JANUARY 2021 - VOL II ISSUE I which is contributed by donors and the private sector – per year in infrastructure .
“ Two-thirds of the public sector money is used to operate and maintain existing infrastructure and one-third is to finance new projects . This leaves a financing gap of $ 48 billion and begs the question of how to finance it the infrastructures including sports .
“ A more efficient use of existing infrastructure can reduce the gap by $ 17 billion .
“ In order to achieve this goal , African policymakers must focus on reducing inefficiencies through measures such as rehabilitating existing infrastructure , targeting better usage , etc . “
Some of the inhibitors of proper infrastructural development in African Sports include the following .
MANAGEMENT CULTURE
In progressive economies , it is not solely the responsibility of the government to construct and manage sports infrastructures . In Europe , Sports Infrastructure construction are mostly partnerships between the government , the City Council , Sponsors and Sports Property owners . The facilities are managed and run without meddling and direct involvement of the government . Partnership needs to be forged between sports associations and the private sector to promote sporting activities , develop and manage sports infrastructure . For that to work , African governments must be willing to relinquish power and rights to responsible organizations and partners who can capably manage infrastructures to good use , for the development and growth of sports at all levels .
GOVERNANCE
African Sports federations and ministries suffer from poor governance and the infestation of least qualified professionals in top decisionmaking positions . Personnel are mostly untrained in the areas of sports management and administration . The substantial funds from international federations like FIFA , IOC and sponsors , disappear into private pockets or are wasted on projects that do not serve the long-term benefit of sports development . Facilities and infrastructures are constructed without the future in view and they are left in deteriorating conditions . The imperativeness of the situation makes it expedient for power-broking stakeholders – governments , associations and ministries – to commit to eradicating mismanagement , corruption and unprofessionalism by setting up and strengthening mechanism for accountability and transparency .
INVESTMENT
Most facilities in Africa are in a poorly managed condition . New ones are constructed without consideration for ultramodern aesthetics . Both existing and new ones and are left needing heavy investment to upgrade to international standards . African townships and City development agencies do not create spaces for sports infrastructure in their development plans . Most schools , except for a few tertiary and private ones , do not have sports infrastructures . In Countries where sports is inclusive of development and economic plans , sports infrastructures are constructed in counties , shires , local governments , districts and councils for the community . Substantial investment goes into infrastructures for multisport purposes .
POLICY MAKING
The importance of sports has not been sufficiently appreciated by many African governments for it to be integrated into their national development plans . A few have tried adopting a policy that sees to the creation and construction of sports structures but the blindsight has either been execution or implementation palsy . African stakeholders need to change their attitude to sports as a part time project or political campaign drive to ensure that they have realistic and implementable policies strengthened by strong will to combat mismanagement and redundancy .
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
African stakeholders vigorously formulate grandeur policies that if viciously pursued , will put sports infrastructure where they are needed . It is rather a realistic wound that policies mostly end up on POSTMODERN paper
PAINTING . Stella and do not find expression alternately in the paints in communities . oil and watercolor
Several governments have developed a health agenda postulating importance of being physically active and publish recommendations for weekly sport participation with adequate and appropriate sport facility required for the performance of those sport put in place .
The Chinese Government identified the purpose of sport infrastructure ’ s role in the nation ’ s fitness level and implemented a nationwide policy in 1995 to improve spending on sport in China , Xiong ( 2007 ). The aim of that policy was to increase sport participation .
Money was raised for China ’ s National Fitness Program and spent on building sport facilities , especially in the urban areas . As a result of the program , Chinese mass sport participation grew substantially ( Xiong , 2007 ).
| 41