Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Noumadoumadji Jean-Luc
Published on 2024-03-10 08:00:01
For years, Chad has been facing a costly and embarrassing dilemma: the lack of approved stadiums to host its international sports events. This gap has forced the country to rent stadiums from its neighbors at exorbitant prices, leaving a huge hole in its budget and a tarnished image of its commitment to national sports.
With the announcement of the rental of the Omnisports stadium in Yaoundé for a crucial match against the Mauritius Islands, the cost of this approach becomes more apparent than ever. At a staggering amount of 26 million CFA francs per match, Chad finds itself paying a high price for what should have been a home advantage. But this expense is just the tip of the iceberg.
Considering the eight remaining home matches for the qualifiers of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup, the total amounts to a staggering sum of 208 million CFA francs. And that is just a fraction of the total costs. International transport costs, accommodation expenses, intercity travel, and catering costs for the team and staff must also be taken into account.
This loss is not only financial but also a missed opportunity for the development of national sports. With these wasted resources on renting foreign stadiums, Chad neglects the opportunity to invest in its own sports infrastructure, an investment that would have long-term benefits for the development of sports in the country.
The slow progress in the renovation of the Idriss Mahamat Ouya stadium, initially scheduled for completion in late 2022, is another source of frustration and disappointment for Chadian sports fans. This situation reveals an inability to plan and execute infrastructure projects effectively, compromising the country’s ability to host major sports events and promote a strong sports culture.
It is high time for the Chadian government to take concrete steps to address this disastrous situation. Investing in the renovation and construction of local stadiums should be a top priority. Not only would this reduce long-term costs, but it would also help to strengthen national identity, boost the local economy, and provide opportunities for Chadian athletes to shine on the world stage. In short, Chad can no longer afford to pay the high price for its lack of stadiums. It is time to act, to turn this shame into pride, and to give Chadian athletes the infrastructure they need to excel.
Read the original article(French) on Tchad Infos
