2024-03-23 07:45:41
Aware of the impact that sport can have on this sector in the development of a country, the sports program occupies an important part in the electoral project of the majority of candidates involved in the presidential election. Even if they were able to ignore or relegate the sector to second place by giving it the bare minimum, some candidates put sport among the priorities. If they present themselves as real alternatives, the candidates’ projects overlap in several areas and in particular on the infrastructure level, its financing or even strategies for the transformation of the economic model of Senegalese sport.
Like other sectors of life, sport occupies an important part in the program of presidential candidates. Between the pursuit of sports policy, the development of the infrastructural map, most of the candidates compete on projects to present their vision and propose an alternative to Senegal’s sports policy. By scrutinizing the program of most of the candidates, it is clear that there is a convergence of views in many areas, particularly infrastructure and the need to find mechanisms to finance sport. In this momentum, the candidate of the coalition Benno Yakar is part of the continuity and wants to make sport a sector of contribution and for construction the upgrading of infrastructures. This component will result in the construction of latest generation stadiums in all regions and in the 46 departments of the country. In addition to the infrastructure aspect, the former Prime Minister promised to create, in all sporting disciplines, benchmark national championships, with the assistance of the State and companies in the public and private sectors. This initiative will be made in conjunction with the Senegalese National Olympic Sports Committee and the National Sports Movement. He foresees the implementation of new strategies to support Federations and Sports Groups for the execution of national and local programs. Just like the support of the League and professional football clubs with an appropriate and fairly substantial subsidy policy to allow them to definitively take off. This vision, as with others, is shared by many of its competitors.
In his chapter devoted to sport, candidate Diomaye Faye indicates that reforms are necessary with a view to better organization and better management of sport in all its forms. He believes that the evolution of sports organization in the world implies the need to establish a well-articulated sports policy around different segments with a clearly defined new financing plan.
On the infrastructure level, it proposes the construction at the level of municipalities, departments and regions of gymnasiums allowing the practice of various sports including basketball, handball, volleyball, indoor football, martial arts, Greco-Roman wrestling, boxing, gymnastics… at the Lamine Gueye, Elimanel Fall, Amitié, Lat Dior stadiums etc. The candidates remain in the same movement. This is the case for many contenders who have made the need to promote the development of sport across the national territory a priority.
As noted by Boubacar Camara, who advocates in his sports program the decentralization of infrastructure and the construction of multi-sport parks in each municipality in order to allow young people and the elderly to practice sport. He plans to build an infrastructure network in Mbour which should be “the new Olympic city of Senegal”.
The candidates’ program overlaps in terms of sports financing. We can see this in Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Idrissa Seck, Malick Gakou, Khalifa Ababacar Sall, Thierno Alassane Sall and Boubacar Camara.
By scrutinizing the project of candidate Malick Gakou, sport is seen as an industry and a key to economic development.
“We want to harness the demographic dividend to propel Senegal to the top as a preeminent sporting nation, while creating significant economic opportunities. A first-rate sports system will be designed to strengthen national unity, promote civic education. “Support the Olympic values and improve public health, but also to stimulate economic growth”, he affirms before planning in his approach close collaboration with the private sector to develop world-class sports infrastructures and promote sporting events. of international scope.
In his project to re-enchant Senegal, Thierno Alassane Sall considers, among other things, the promotion of sport-study and the revitalization of the UASSU movement, the strengthening of allocations of resources dedicated to sport and the strengthening of mass sport. “Navetane crystallizes a lot of interest and passion. It could serve, beyond sport, as a tool to raise awareness of the issues of national construction. Thus, a strengthening of the ONCAV is imperative for the detection of talents also in football (which remains the most popular discipline) but other sporting and cultural disciplines,” we read.
Khalifa Ababacar Sall, leader of the President Khalifa coalition, will issue like his other pairs on the same length and does not fail to make the promise to gradually increase the budget dedicated to sport and the construction of the modernization of multidisciplinary sports infrastructures on throughout the national territory and accessible to all. It also intends to involve national and private companies in supporting national and international sport.
“We must encourage the financing of professional sport through a policy of tax incentives for companies that support sport, the establishment of athlete support programs including scholarships and quality training facilities.”
Omar DIAW
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#Infrastructure #financing #sport #necessity