The paradoxes of elite sport in Madagascar: between corrupt governance and the marginalization of sporting talent
Georges Solofoson
Published on July 13th, 2026

DOI: MJSTEM-S-26-083

Abstract

This article examines the paradoxes of elite sports in Madagascar, highlighting the tension between governance corruption and the marginalization of young people athletic talents. The main objective is to analyze how mismanagement by sports federations and institutions prevent Malagasy athletes from achieving international competitiveness. The study employs a mixed- methods approach , including a documentary review of official texts and sports reports, semi- structured interviews with key stakeholders ( athletes , coaches, federation and association officials ), and a statistical analysis of Malagasy sports performance over the past twenty years . The findings reveal that systemic corruption, clientelism , and a lack of transparency in resource management severely hinder international competitiveness . Talented athletes are frequently excluded or deprived of support, leading to demotivation and a potential talent drain to other countries or sectors . However , the study also identified a considerable pool of promising young talents, capable of remarkable achievements if provided with proper structural support and funding . The article concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for structural governance reforms , transparency mechanisms , and international partnerships to ensure effective support for athletes . Implementation thesis measures is essential to unlock the national sports potential and transform sports into a tool for social, economic , and cultural development in Madagascar.

Keywords

Sports governance
corruption
athletes
Madagascar
federations
elite sport.

License

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).