The nine basketball courts built at the Barea Mahamasina Stadium were intended to be a major catalyst for the development of basketball. However, many stakeholders argue that these public facilities have become difficult to access due to rental fees deemed too high. The issue resurfaced during the national mini-basket Jamboree, which concluded on Saturday at the Palais des Sports in Mahamasina. Unable to afford the rental costs of the Barea Stadium courts, organizers were forced to use the facilities at the University of Antananarivo.
According to an official from the Malagasy Basketball Federation (FMBB), who requested anonymity, the cost to rent a court is 25,000 ariary per hour. Renting the six courts near the Gerb’Or area amounts to 1,200,000 ariary for an eight-hour day (6 courts × 25,000 ariary × 8 hours). For a ten-day championship, the bill reaches 12 million ariary, excluding additional lighting costs for evening matches.
This situation often forces clubs to collect 1,500 to 2,000 ariary per player per match to cover rental fees. This adds a financial burden on families and discourages the organization of competitions, especially when most championships already attract few spectators.
Former President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, gave his approval in 2023 for a permanent authorization allowing the FMBB to use these courts free of charge. However, this decision has never been effectively implemented.
The basketball community is now calling for the effective application of this authorization to foster the development of the discipline. Failing that, they are requesting the establishment of free time slots, particularly between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., to allow clubs, sections, leagues, and the Federation to conduct their training sessions. They argue that the State’s mission is to provide free access to sports infrastructure for athletes to promote sports development.
“When access to these facilities becomes too expensive, the entire process of sports development is weakened,” said a parent of an athlete who wished to remain anonymous.
When asked about the matter, the former Director General of Kianja Barea Madagascar, Mady Rasolovoninjatovo, indicated that his term had ended and he could no longer comment on the file. For his part, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Alain Désiré Rasambany, noted that “preferential rates already exist for federations using KBM and Palais des Sports infrastructure. Reductions can be granted after consultation. All options remain open for dialogue between the parties concerned.”
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-08 06:43:25 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/entrainements-les-amateurs-de-basket.html