Long considered a hotbed of talent, Madagascar is struggling to maintain its standing on the regional and continental stage. While some individual performances in judo, weightlifting, and 3×3 basketball keep hope alive, the general trend remains concerning. Many federations are facing a decline in the level of their athletes and increasingly inconsistent results, which require urgent reflection.
This decline stems from long before the elite level. For decades, school sports were the main gateway to national teams. Competitions between primary schools (EPP), middle schools (CEG), high schools, and universities allowed for the detection of the best talent. The Office of School and University Sports of Madagascar (OSSUM) played a decisive role in this pipeline, particularly in athletics.
The progression of a young athlete once followed a true pyramid. Competitions organized in the ‘fokontany’ (neighborhoods) led to inter-school championships, then to regional, university, civilian, and military competitions, serving as springboards to national selections. Today, this chain has weakened significantly. School competitions have become rare, and the links between institutions, clubs, and federations have frayed.
Sports journalist and columnist Raoto Andriamanambe notes that there are no miracles in sports. He emphasizes that the fundamental basis is the training of athletes and educators, and that school sports must become a necessity rather than a constraint. He also advocates for building an economy around sports, suggesting that Madagascar must either modernize the OSSUM model or create a new system involving the state, the private sector, and federations.
The lack of local infrastructure, qualified supervision, and a coherent state sports policy further aggravate the situation. Reviving competitions at all levels, from ‘fokontany’ to universities, is essential. Sporting performance is not built solely during national team training camps; it relies on a solid pyramid whose foundation is the youth.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-17 06:12:27 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/developpement-du-sport-labsence-dune.html