Africa must utilise sport tourism

By Bertie Jacobs Football. The Beautiful Game. The World Game. It is no overstatement to say that our continent adores football, with an estimated 59% of Africans watching the sport more than once a week. Africa’s sporting picture is, however, much more inclusive than that. Athletics enjoys a large following, especially in East Africa where Kenya and Ethiopia are global powerhouses, while in Southern Africa rugby and cricket remain major draws. Basketball is the fastest-growing sport on the continent, and boxing as well as combat sports are staples for an increasing number of fans. Africa’s sport sector currently contributes roughly 0.5% of continental GDP, and industry analyses project that...