Since late 2019, the Malagasy government has decided to invest vigorously in the creation or rehabilitation of sports infrastructure across the island. Soccer in particular is well off with about 30 stadiums concerned. The President of the Republic inaugurated three stadiums in only one month: Ihosy, Mahitsy and Ambohidratrimo. While a segment of the population questions the usefulness of such investments, we will try to understand the impacts of these projects at the society level.

Sport is an integral part of society. In Madagascar, soccer has taken a prominent place since the national team "Barea" qualified for its first Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019 and brilliantly made it to the quarter-finals. The Barea brought together the Malagasy for a competition, and even beyond. The state might have acknowledged how important soccer and sport in general were for the society. However, retaining the performances of 2019 and then qualifying again for major international competitions go through the development of sports disciplines. For soccer in particular, all aspects must be taken into consideration, supported, and improved: technical, administrative, legal, personnel, communication, succession, sports, and of course, infrastructures and facilities.

The rehabilitation or the creation of sports facilities is therefore important. The lack of sports infrastructures was sorely felt. Currently, apart from the Barikadimy Toamasina Stadium and the Kianja Barea in Mahamasina in Antananarivo, Madagascar has, in May 2021, only two stadiums approved by the “Confédération Africaine de Football” (CAF). The CNaPS Vontovorona stadium has also had the opportunity to host official international matches in recent years just like that of Rabemananjara in Mahajanga, but these two stadiums need to be improved before they can host official international meetings again.

If at present, it is assumed that the stadiums recently inaugurated in Madagascar do not yet meet the minimum requirements set by football international bodies, the creation or rehabilitation of these facilities are beneficial to local football. Mahitsy, Ambohidratrimo, Ihosy and the future infrastructures to be put in place are available to young local players who will be able to express their talents on a good pitch. National competitions can also be held on these grounds, it would be then possible to cover the greatest number of cities and to find amazing players in every corner of the island. If during the 2020-2021 edition of the Orange Pro League national football championship, 13 clubs from 9 regions shared 5 pitches in Madagascar, 8 clubs come from the capital Antananarivo. This demonstrates the importance of the availability of new stadiums which would also raise the level of football outside the big cities. Players, coaches, clubs, but also fans will enjoy these facilities.

Finally, business-wise, a micro-ecosystem can also be established around the creation of these stadiums. Note the economic opportunities for return on investment: rental, ticketing, advertisements, etc. All this can create new markets, business opportunities and jobs in the cities where these stadiums are located.

To conclude, the creation or rehabilitation of new stadiums, although they can only be used for local football at this stage, is acclaimed by the football community in Madagascar and is hoped to develop the discipline in the country. Now, it is necessary to support these infrastructure projects with a good and coherent policy: succession, the expansion of competitions, the detection of players likely to join the Barea, and the related business. This would be a big step toward the development of soccer and would help us defend the national colors with pride. Time to unite once again, sing together the national anthem, be surfed in euphoria and forget for a moment the gruelling daily routine that we live in Madagascar!

This article is also available in the 11th release of "The American" magazine. The full PDF version of magazine is available for download here.