A look at the impact COVID-19 on sport two years on

The South African sports ecosystem continues to be dealt a major blow with the extension of the State of Disaster which was announced by the government on Tuesday.

Sports fans in the country remain in limbo over the full return of spectators to live sports events with only a maximum of 2 000 spectators currently allowed in stadia. That has had a severe negative impact on the entire business of sports.

Fans continue to be deprived of live entertainment and the entire sports fraternity is feeling the brunt. The fans create excitement and without their presence, it is a dull atmosphere. And the woes continue for the sports industry.

Managing Director: Nielson Sports SA, Jean Willers says, “The state of disaster being extended, it makes another month closer to big international events fans are unsure can they buy tickets should they book accommodation, should they book flights they are worried about that space because they are not sure if there is certainty within this industry at the moment.”

The sector was upbeat that its fortunes would turn around in 2022, however, that might not be the case.

COVID-19 impact on the sporting sector two years on: 

South Africa is set to host major international events this year. But the current situation does not inspire confidence that these events will be a success.

“The most frustrating thing from a professional sporting sense and the business side is that it almost feels as though these decisions are being made without any science without any proof without any real thought being put into it and the longer it gets extended the more the industry get frustrated,” Willers adds.

The limited number of fans allowed in stadiums has put the industry under immense pressure. Although the government was open to engagements with relevant stakeholders in a move to pave the way for the number of spectators to be increased – that has yet to materialise. But the sports industry is also to blame.

Willers elaborates, “We all sat back and expected somebody else to do more, we have expected the federations, we have expected SASCOC, we have expected the minister of sports to rally this industry and I don’t think we have done enough we definitely have not stood together as an industry.”

Thousands of jobs have been lost and many more livelihoods are at risk in the sporting services industries.

“Ultimately our industry from a business side of sport, entertainment, hospitality, it’s not just the fans attending inside the stadium, it’s the whole industry under pressure. People are losing their jobs because of the decisions made” Willers explains.

Despite the negative effects, the sports fraternity has come up with some innovative solutions. This included finding ways to engage with fans and creating new operating models.

However, a lot of damage has been done. And although there is hope that ultimately the sports industry will return to normality – it will take some time to stabilise.