By Nonso Ugwu
Sports have this amazing, unique way of making a positive impact in society. Whether it’s helping children, communities or even nations, sports make a difference on a daily basis.
Sports, no doubt, represent a billion-dollar business—that’s no secret. But what we might not realize is the immensely positive impact sports have on local economies, mainly through tourism.
In 2010, the New York City Marathon boosted the city’s economy to the tune of $340 million. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Chicago Cubs generate $600 million annually for the state of Illinois.
Part of the economic impact also involves job creation. According to Economic Modeling Specialists International, as of 2013, the sports industry in America produced 456,000 jobs (average salary $39,000).
These jobs include far more than just the athletes— Economic Modeling Specialists International looked at other occupations involved with spectator sports such as coaches, referees and agents. And that doesn’t even take into consideration the many stadium vendors and their employees, front-office personnel, etc.
Sports also have the power to lift people up in times of turmoil. The Miracle on Ice came at a time when tensions were high in the Cold War, and South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup victory helped a nation heal from decades of Apartheid.
Having taken some of the benefits of sports into consideration, the Enugu PDP guber candidate, Peter Mbah has expressed his eagerness to integrate sports in his administration.
Mbah in page 52 of his manifesto has said that his administration would seek to advance the frontiers of sports and apply it to achieve the desired objectives. According to him, the state shall hold a summit for sports at which stakeholders and investors will be invited to brainstorm and develop a template for a comprehensive investment in sporting facilities and administration.
He further reiterated his commitment in establishing sporting academies in line with the global practices to train youths with special interests and talents in any of football, tennis, basketball, swimming, boxing, field and track athletics.
Being a man who has traveled far and wide and has seen the benefits embedded in sports, Dr. Mbah assured Ndi Enugu of his unalloyed zeal to set up centers for recreational and indoor sports.
He also said that in addition to Enugu Rangers, he would encourage the formation of other football clubs in the local governments where mini stadia will be constructed.
It should also be noted that the current administration has expanded the sporting facilities in the state with the construction of infrastructures like the ultra-modern township stadium in Nsukka and the remodeling of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. This will also help to actualize Mbah’s vision on sports, and also serve as a stepping stone towards Mbah’s plan of growing the state’s GDP from $4.4b to $30b.
This goes far to show how determined Peter Mbah is when it comes to ensuring that jobs are created and that the youths of Enugu are productively engaged. Knowing how much of an innovative investor Peter Mbah is, Enugu has a rare opportunity at their hands to experience an unprecedented economic boost. We can’t afford to gamble on it.
