Sports
From The Report: Colombia 2016
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As Colombia debates a settlement to long-running internal political conflicts, sport is increasingly seen as a powerful instrument for social inclusion and community development. Despite fiscal austerity, the government, through sports institute Coldeportes, has been promoting sport for all. According to a mid-2015 report by Forbes magazine that examined public sector sports budgets across 20 Latin American countries, Colombia was ranked fourth by total spending. Brazil was ranked in first with $842.4m – the lion’s share because of preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games – followed by Mexico with $233m, Chile with $213m and Colombia with $169.3m. According to the report, the 20 countries were spending a combined $1.9bn on sporting venues, infrastructure and the training of athletes. The development of sport in Colombia has important spillover effects on the economy, with a number of sectors benefiting, including tourism, transport, hotels and restaurants, and the textile industry, among others.

This chapter includes an interview with Andrés Botero, Director, Administrative Department of Sport, Recreation, Physical Activity and Use of Free Time. 

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A winning spirit: Sports are on the rise after a series of high-profile showings at international competitions
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Colombian sport is vibrant and passionately followed by fans across the country. It is seen as a powerful instrument for social inclusion and community development, particularly as the country debates a settlement to long-running internal political conflicts. Despite fiscal austerity, the government, through sports institute Coldeportes, has been promoting sport for all. According to a mid-2015 report by Forbes magazine that examined public sector sports budgets across 20 Latin American countries,…

Interview

Head in the game: OBG talks to Andrés Botero, Director, Administrative Department of Sport, Recreation, Physical Activity and Use of Free Time
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Interview:Andrés Botero How much sponsorship money is being put into sport, and what is the return on investment? ANDRÉSBOTERO: Although it is not yet a big market, sponsorship contracts have grown exponentially since the successful performance of Colombia’s national football team in Brazil’s FIFA World Cup 2014 and constitute a market of about $700m. After years of holding back, the private sector has reconsidered the importance of associating its brands with a sport or…

Analysis

Breaking out: Rugby takes centre stage as an alternative in conflict areas
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Since its beginnings back in the 19th century, rugby has maintained a privileged position among sports practised in countries with British colonial pasts. However, it has a short history in non-English speaking regions such as Latin America. Rugby began in Colombia during the 1970s, when a small number of expatriate workers started organising friendly matches. It was only in 1993, that French-Colombian amateur Hans Rausch promoted the creation of the Colombian Rugby Federation (Fecorugby). Since…