Mathew Haikali
2025 is here. It is about time that we stop playing hide and seek with a sector that can create an enormous job opportunity for both young and old.
I have been contemplating how come it is taking this country such a long time to recognise the potential that sports has in reducing both the unemployment statistic and also creating skilled individuals who do not have to rely on getting a job but are able to use their bodies and the TVET skills on offer to take this country to another level.
As I write this, a lot of things are going through my mind, and it’s mind-boggling to be able to comprehend that the potential that sports has is so huge, and yet the people who have the political willpower cannot see what it can do for this country.
As I write this article, two main things come to my mind. If one goes to a sports field, you will notice that the athletes are focused on doing their best on the field or track. What most people do not see is the people behind the scenes, who made sure that the event you are enjoying started as an atheist six months ago, with visionary leadership and an idea to create an opportunity for the athlete to perform to the best of their ability.
What one does not see is the cleaner, who works at the office where the initial meeting took place to formulate the dream idea into a full-fledged event. The security guard, on standby seven days a week, ensures that the cleaned offices remain safe from break-ins or vandalism.
The taxi driver ensures that both officials and athletes are able to train by providing them with transport to get to the training ground and, on match day, to get to the venue safely. This would not be possible if the pump attendant was not available to dispense fuel to the taxi driver, who not only transports the athletes and officials but makes sure that the cleaner and the security guard are able to reach their operation sites to ensure that the administrators put in the necessary time and make those calls to other partners to ensure that the event is a success.
We often assume that sponsors will simply pour money into our athletes, but in reality, someone within the organisation recognises their potential and creates a document to justify their support for sport. This document is then presented to a board for consideration and approval, allowing the athletes to pursue their strengths.
All the above-mentioned positions contribute to the growth of both sports in their own unique ways. So when we say that sports can contribute more, we mean it.
I’m just saying, take, for example, a football team of 30 players and 10 officials travelling from a distant place.
They will need a bus driver, a mechanic, and a handyman to offload and upload equipment on the bus.
Driver, mechanic, and handyman are not considered sports, but without them the team cannot get to their destination.
When this team reaches their destination, let’s reserve a guest house for their overnight stay. The guest house awaits them with freshly made beds. The rooms will be clean, and the food may already be ready. For them to be possible, the guest house will have a manager, a cook and a couple of waiters; an electrician, a plumber, a painter, and a carpenter, who ensure that the venue is up to the task of hosting the team.
The guest house manager, if equipped with his managerial skills, was inducted into sports management and will be the best person to ensure that the needs of the athletes are met. from when they arrive at the venue, working with his team, they create a conducive environment for athletes to relax and focus on their mental state for the competition.
In the scenario highlighted above, it means to support a group of 30 athletes you will need double that number to provide service that is of high quality.
I’m just saying we need to focus and not think that sports are only creating employment for athletes; there are auxiliary services that support their development.
