Banjul mayor calls for rethinking funding of sports infrastructure

International financial institutions and development banks still tend to view sports infrastructure as a leisure sector rather than a tool for sustainable urban development, Mayor of Banjul Rohey Malick Lowe said during a panel discussion at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

According to Report, Rohey Malick Lowe stated that in Banjul, sport is already regarded as an important part of urban infrastructure rather than merely a form of entertainment.

She stressed that the city does not require expensive stadiums or large-scale projects.

"What we need are multifunctional sports grounds in every densely populated neighborhood of our city - not costly stadiums. When funding arrives, we are not asking for millions. We simply need a concrete ground, solar lighting, and basketball hoops for children," she said.

Lowe also highlighted the importance of involving children in sports from an early age and noted that a sporting mindset should begin in childhood.

According to her, sustainability and the basic needs of residents - including access to clean drinking water - must also be taken into account when developing sports infrastructure.

She emphasized that sports facilities should be viewed as part of climate resilience, public health, and crime prevention systems, particularly for young people.

"Young people playing on sports grounds in the evening are not looking for trouble on the streets. We also see safe and clean spaces where girls can play in the evening without fear," Lowe stated.

She called on international financial institutions to reconsider their funding priorities and pay greater attention to investments in urban infrastructure, including neighborhood sports facilities.

"Give us $1 million for neighborhood sports grounds, and we will save you $10 million in the future on healthcare, policing, and disaster recovery. Change your categories. Reclassify sports grounds and recognize them for what they truly are," Rohey Malick Lowe concluded.