Sports economy in Africa: An endless potential

Africa is no stranger to athletic performances on the world stage. To say the least, Africa is the hub of sports prodigies across the world, and yet there is much to explore economically that Africa needs to do, for the sake of the coming generations.  Amid a slew of different sports categories, the region has taken a keen interest in a couple of the sports segments.   The region of more than 1.2 people, with almost 60 per cent of its population being under the age of 25, according to United Nations projections, will eventually turn out to be the world’s youngest continent. This means there are more talents, more fans and possibly more ticket, merchandise and consumables sales.  Football, athletics, basketball, rugby, cycling, rallying and cricket are mostly performed across the continent.   Football is performed nearly all over the continent and the entire world reaps fresh and unique talents from different sports academies and local clubs in Africa.  It is with no doubt that sport as an independent form of recreational entity and labour per se, contributes to the economy greatly (if all factors are well served, i.e. policy, investment and strategic planning).  The 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Egypt drew