Sport and Economic Development

Four main areas that present the limitations and the potential of sport to contribute to economic development are discussed in dedicated sub-sections:

• Underdevelopment of sport and ‘muscle drain’ in developing countries
• Exploitation and child protection in sport
• Developing local markets through sport by means of hosting local sports events, producing low-cost and affordable sporting goods and through athletes’ remittances
• Building skills for employment through sport

This topic also includes a selected number of project profiles, which provide illustrative examples of using sport to encourage economic development.

Each sub-section includes further recommended reading with links to online documents and further sources of information.

An introduction to the challenges in sport development in developing countries
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An overview of some major problems within sport that affect children and young people as athletes as well as working children
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A brief discussion of the potential of sport to stimulate local development through local sport events, producing low-cost and affordable sporting goods and through athletes’ remittances
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An overview of the potential of sport to equip young people and adults with skills that are useful for employment
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