The Tahiry Aina ho an’ny Fanatanjahantena sy Itsinjovana ny Tanora (TAFITA) occupies a central role in financing Malagasy sports. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, this public establishment is tasked with mobilizing resources for the development of sports and youth, while managing several national sports infrastructures. However, the actual impact of its involvement remains largely invisible.
Its revenue stems mainly from three sources: a special tax on alcoholic beverages and manufactured tobacco, rental income from sports facilities—such as the Palais des Sports in Mahamasina and regional gymnasiums—as well as public subsidies.
Since 2023, 70% of the proceeds from this tax have been allocated to the National Fund for the Promotion and Development of Youth, Sports, and Leisure (FNPDJSL), with 20% for Ofnalat and 10% for Lovako. In 2017, this distribution was 60%, 30%, and 10% respectively.
Despite these funding sources, the exact budget of TAFITA remains unknown. Its Administrative and Financial Director (DAF), Marco Rakotoson, refused to provide a figure, labeling it “sensitive data.” Nevertheless, he advocates for an increase in the establishment’s resources to better support athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
The DAF acknowledges that available resources are insufficient to meet all requests. “The amount allocated to TAFITA is not enough to fulfill all demands, but we are doing our utmost to help the athletes,” says Marco Rakotoson.
A former Minister of Youth and Sports, who requested anonymity, explains: “Monthly payments from the Public Treasury amount to between 300 and 400 million ariary, while TAFITA’s operating expenses are approximately 80 million ariary. Added to this are revenues from infrastructure rentals: between 8 to 16 million ariary per event at the Palais des Sports, 3 to 8 million at the Mahajanga sports complex, 15 to 20 million for concerts at the Barea Stadium, as well as revenue generated by basketball courts (50,000 ariary per day per court) and certain competitions like the Smatchin tournament (10 million ariary).”
TAFITA also manages the Palais des Sports in Mahamasina, the Ankoay Gymnasium in Ankorondrano, and several regional sports facilities, which are made available to federations free of charge based on availability. The establishment also covers certain delegation expenses, notably the reimbursement of athletes’ airline ticket arrears.
For many sports officials, the organization acts more as a manager of resources and equipment than as a genuine investment fund capable of sustainably supporting training, national competitions, or high-level preparation. In a context where many federations still depend on private sponsors and personal contributions from their leaders, greater transparency regarding budgets, beneficiaries, and allocation criteria would allow for a more precise evaluation of TAFITA’s actual impact on the development of Malagasy sports.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-02 06:42:52 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/tafita-letablissement-peine-devenir-le.html
