عبدالقادر نعمي

A serious question arises: how can developing countries balance limited resources with the growing demands for sports facility development, while staying on track to achieve sustainable development goals? On one hand, sports facilities can play an important role in improving public health, promoting social inclusion, and supporting economic growth through employment and tourism. However, problems emerge when a large portion of public funds is directed toward expensive projects that are not sustainable in the long term, while basic needs—such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure—remain underfunded. A possible solution lies in adopting an integrated approach—for example, through public-private partnerships, the use of multifunctional facilities, and a focus on environmentally friendly construction. It is also crucial to involve local communities in planning and decision-making, so that sports facilities genuinely serve the broader population, not just elite competitions. In short, the goal is not merely to build sports infrastructure, but to do so in a way that contributes to overall development and benefits the local population.

Developing countries can balance limited resources and sports-facility needs by prioritising multi-use, low-cost community facilities, phasing investment toward high-impact venues, public–private partnerships for financing and maintenance, leveraging schools and public spaces for shared access, incorporating local materials and labour to reduce costs, and aligning projects with health, education and tourism objectives to maximize social returns and progress toward SDGs.