By Daily Sports on May 29, 2020
Liberian President and football legend George Weah says he fears for the future of sport on the African continent in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The health crisis has had a major effect on sport all around the world, and while other parts of the globe are slowly bringing leagues and series back to empty stadiums, African sport – and football in particular – has a very uncertain future, both in the immediate and long-term future.
The national leagues in countries such as Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda have been cancelled, while other nations have yet to ascertain a clear way forward in terms of restarting their domestic competition.
On the international front, the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) is indefinitely suspended, while there is also the suggestion that next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) may have to be shifted from its scheduled time in January-February.
“The lifeblood of sports consists mainly of attendance fees and sponsorships – where these no longer exist, many clubs will collapse and many leagues will close permanently,” President Weah was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
“It is my considered opinion that the future of sports in Africa after Covid-19 is bleak, and is not guaranteed to recover. There will be an urgent need to resuscitate football and other games.
“Health and recovery of our economies take absolute priority, however, it is important that the global funding being raised should recognise the social importance of sport.”
Weah, who has been Liberia’s President since early 2018, is a three-time African Footballer of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner who represented the likes of Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Chelsea in a storied career. (BBC)
•PHOTO: George Weah
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 29, 2020
You may also like...
Messi returns to PSG next week
The Footballer ‘Duped’ Out Of $1m... Twice
Man.Utd set to sign Bailly
Don’t dash Nigerians’ hopes, Emenike tells Eagles
Neymar Suffering From ‘Anxiety’ Due To Virus
Kwara wins gold, silver in women’s squash singles...

Khan warns Paul ahead ‘life-threatening’ Joshua fight
Emery's perseverance & belief key to Villa resurgence
Agu backs Okoye for Eagles No. 1 spot
PFL contract ends soon - Ngannou
'No-one downing tools' - Alonso's stay of execution despite loss to Man City
Zaha in Ivory Coast Afcon squad but Adingra left out
UCL: Mbappé doubtful for Manchester City clash after missing training
'Give Alonso time' - but Man City visit could be pivotal
Fifa accused of breaching own rules with Trump award
Son, Simons and mini Spurs revival lift Frank's spirits
Finidi challenges Rivers United players’ mentality
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,402 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,646 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,587 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,220 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,194 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,105 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,950 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,535 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,676 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,224 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,618 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,090 views)