An athlete participates in a winter sports skiing event in Africa, showcasing the potential for winter sports in the continent.
The recently concluded Winter Olympics saw the highest-ever participation by Africans, with 15 athletes from eight countries. While the development proves that governments across the continent are paying attention to winter sports, the big question is whether citizens will embrace them. Because much of Africa is tropical, it is not an ideal location for winter sports. But it is still possible to play these sports on the continent, especially in high-altitude areas such as the Atlas Mountains and the Drakensberg Mountains. However, the hurdles are steep, from the high energy costs that shuttered South Africa’s only ski resort to the unpredictable snowfall exacerbated by climate change. Yet, optimism lingers in pockets like Lesotho’s Afriski resort and Nairobi’s lone ice rink.
African Business