Sport has evolved far beyond competition and entertainment. Across the world, it has become a multi-billion-dollar economic engine, generating employment, infrastructure development, tourism, media revenue, and sustainable athlete livelihoods. From Europe to Asia, nations that have invested strategically in sport now reap economic and social dividends. Sri Lanka, standing at a critical crossroads, has much to learn from these models.

The Global Sports Economy: More Than Just Matches

Globally, the sports industry is valued at over USD 500 billion, encompassing professional leagues, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, sports tourism, infrastructure, merchandise, sports science, and digital platforms.

Countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Australia treat sport as an industry rather than a recreational activity. Their success rests on four pillars:

1. Professional leagues and structured competitions
2. Strong private-sector partnerships
3. Athlete-centric commercial ecosystems
4. Policy support and long-term planning

Athletes in these systems benefit not only from prize money but also from contracts, endorsements, pensions, insurance, post-retirement opportunities, and education pathways, ensuring sport is a viable career rather than a short-term pursuit.

India’s Sports Economy: A Regional Case Study

India’s transformation over the past decade provides one of the most relevant case studies for Sri Lanka. Once heavily reliant on cricket alone, India has built a diversified sports economy through structured leagues and government–private collaboration.

The introduction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) revolutionised cricket economics, creating billions in revenue while supporting players, coaches, analysts, broadcasters, marketers, and venue operators. This model was replicated across other sports through leagues such as:

• Indian Super League (Football)
• Pro Kabaddi League
• Premier Badminton League
• Ultimate Kho Kho
• Women’s Premier League (Cricket)

These leagues did more than entertain. They created year-round employment, improved grassroots scouting, professionalised coaching, and gave young athletes financial security and visibility.

Government initiatives like Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) complemented league structures by funding athlete training, sports science, nutrition, and international exposure. Importantly, athletes were treated as economic contributors, not beneficiaries of charity.

How Athletes Benefit in a Sports Economy

In mature sports economies, athletes benefit through:

• Central contracts and league salaries
• Sponsorship and brand endorsements
• Medical insurance and injury cover
• Access to sports science, analytics, and psychology
• Education and dual-career support
• Post-retirement roles in coaching, media, administration, and entrepreneurship

Sport becomes a sustainable profession, reducing dropout rates and improving performance standards.

Where Sri Lanka Stands Today

Sri Lanka possesses immense sporting talent across cricket, football, athletics, rugby, volleyball, combat sports, and school sports. However, the sports ecosystem remains fragmented, with limited commercial pathways for athletes outside elite cricket.

Key challenges include:

• Lack of structured domestic leagues
• Weak private-sector investment
• Overdependence on government funding
• Inadequate athlete welfare systems
• Underutilisation of sports infrastructure
• Limited sports tourism and event hosting

Most athletes face uncertainty beyond school or national-level participation, leading many to abandon sport prematurely.

What Sri Lanka Can Do to Build a Sports Economy

Sri Lanka does not need to reinvent the wheel. It needs policy alignment, institutional reform, and commercial courage.

1. Develop Tiered Professional Leagues

Introduce sustainable league structures in football, volleyball, rugby, athletics meets, women’s sports, and regional cricket. Even semi-professional leagues can stimulate local economies.

2. Encourage Private Investment

Create tax incentives, sponsorship protections, and long-term lease frameworks to attract corporate partners into sports ownership, marketing, and infrastructure.

3. Strengthen School-to-Club Pathways

Formalise school sports pipelines into club and league systems, ensuring talent progression and retention.

4. Protect Athletes as Professionals

Introduce minimum contracts, medical insurance, injury compensation, and retirement transition programmes.

5. Activate Sports Tourism

Leverage Sri Lanka’s geography to host regional tournaments, training camps, beach sports events, and international friendlies, boosting hospitality and local economies.

6. Modernise Governance

Ensure transparent administration, professional venue management, and data-driven decision-making to build investor confidence.

A Strategic Opportunity

Sri Lanka stands at a moment where sport can become an economic pillar, not merely a medal-driven activity. With regional competition intensifying and youth participation declining, the need to professionalise sport has never been more urgent.

Building a sports economy is not just about revenue — it is about nation-building, youth employment, health, unity, and global relevance. The global and Indian experiences prove that with vision and structure, sport can power both economic growth and athletic excellence.

For Sri Lanka, the question is no longer whether sport can drive the economy — but whether the country is ready to let it.

By B Aravinth

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that construction work on the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium (JICS) in Mandaitivu, Jaffna, is progressing steadily and in line with planned timelines.

In an official press release, SLC stated that construction activities at the venue had been temporarily suspended due to the impact of the Ditwah Cyclone, which disrupted the scheduled work programme. The weather conditions also led to the postponement of the first trial match, which had been initially scheduled for January 14, 2026.

Following the improvement in conditions, construction has now resumed, and SLC has announced that the inaugural trial match at the stadium will be held after the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20I Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

SLC reiterated its confidence that the stadium will be completed within the projected timeline, emphasising that the project remains a priority development initiative.

The Jaffna International Cricket Stadium is being developed on 48 acres and will feature 10 international-standard centre wickets, with boundary distances extending up to 80 metres, meeting global playing standards.

The stadium forms part of SLC’s long-term vision to establish a comprehensive sports city in Jaffna, spanning a total area of 138 acres. This landmark project is expected to play a key role in strengthening cricket development in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province and aligns with the objectives of SLC’s National Pathway Programme, aimed at nurturing talent across all regions of the country.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued an official clarification regarding the provision of the Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium for a musical concert scheduled for December 28, 2025, following public discussion and media coverage on the matter.

In a press release dated December 28, 2025, the Ministry stated that the decision to lease the stadium for a musical event was taken in the context of the current condition of the athletics track, which it described as being in a dilapidated state and unsuitable for competitive sporting activities.

According to the statement, the existing running track has deteriorated due to potholes and extensive wear and is not currently in use for sporting events. The Ministry further noted that tender procedures have already commenced for the removal of the existing track and the construction of a new one.

Stadium Inactivity Cited

The Ministry explained that as the stadium would remain inactive for sports during the upcoming reconstruction period, the management authority agreed to lease the premises for the concert, subject to applicable charges and conditions.

It also stated that the responsibility for conducting the event rested with the organisers and that the proposed concert would not result in additional significant damage to the running track, as the surface is already scheduled for complete removal as part of the renovation process.

Response to Public Commentary

In its release, the Ministry strongly criticised what it described as distorted statements and inaccurate reporting by certain individuals and media outlets, which it said had portrayed the event as a major setback to sports and stadium infrastructure.

The Ministry requested media institutions to publish or broadcast the clarification in the interest of public awareness and transparency, noting that photographs and video footage relating to the stadium’s current condition were provided alongside the statement.

Context

The clarification follows earlier public concern and debate over the use of national sports facilities for non-sporting events, particularly in relation to athlete access, venue management practices, and adherence to established policies. The Ministry’s statement represents its official position on the matter

Postponement of Event at Sugathadasa Stadium Highlights Broader Concerns Over Venue Management and Sports Access