Man Capital LLP’s Post

In the past year, the African continent stood tall in terms of international sports performances from the Rugby World Cup Paris 2023, FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the World Athletics Championship in Budapest to mention a few. The great performances of African athletes in these competitions have not only brought a positive image and pride to the continent, but also financial benefits in terms of increased visibility, tourism and investment opportunities to the continent. Therefore, this calls for all actors in the field of sports, particularly national governments, that are primary funders of sports, not to see sports as a cost, but a long-term investment that can play an important role in shaping the future of the African continent.

As the Matildas reflect on their journey to the Paris Olympics, the question of "what's next?" looms large for Australian women’s football. While the team has captured the nation's heart, the path ahead presents challenges that demand attention. The A-League Women struggles to consistently produce world-class talent, driving many young stars overseas. Our youth national teams also face difficulties, with few players under 23 ready to step up to the senior level. With several senior players nearing retirement, the team faces a significant transition. However, their legacy is already clear. The Matildas' World Cup performance has had a profoundly positive influence on female participation in football, leading to increased focus and investment in women's football development. This is why the future of women’s football in Australia is so exciting. As we look towards the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, investing in the next generation, strengthening domestic leagues, and securing top coaching will be crucial. This moment may feel like the end of an era, but it also offers the chance to build something even greater. We thank our retiring players for leaving the game in a better place than before, ensuring that the journey of Australian women’s football is far from over and heading towards a brighter future. #Womensfootball #Matildas #FootballAustralia #Nxtgenfootball

#African Basketball at #Paris 2024: Changing the Narrative #ManyattaTalks As the Paris 2024 Olympics unfold, African basketball is not just participating but making a significant impact, reshaping perceptions and narratives around the sport. This year has seen remarkable performances that highlight the growing prowess and potential of African teams on the global stage. #Nigeria's Triumph in Women's Basketball One of the standout moments was Nigeria's women's basketball team, sponsored by @UgoUdueze's #AFASports, an African sportswear brand made in Nigeria. The team achieved a historic victory against Australia, demonstrating skill, determination, and the increasing competitiveness of African basketball. This win is a testament to the quality and potential of African talent, and it showcases the importance of investing in and supporting homegrown initiatives. #SouthSudan's Proud Performance South Sudan, despite a narrow loss by one point to the eventual winners of the Paris 2024 Basketball Olympics, displayed immense pride and tenacity. Their performance was not just about the final score but about the spirit and heart they brought to the game. South Sudan's journey in the tournament has inspired many and highlighted the nation's rapid rise in the basketball world. The Future of #NBA Africa While these successes are encouraging, there are still challenges to be addressed, particularly in the structure and support of African basketball leagues. The collaboration between NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) has faced criticism for not effectively engaging fans and for struggling with financial viability. According to a report by the Japan Times, "NBA’s Africa league struggles to find fans as it faces mounting losses." This suggests that the current model, which often features older, veteran players, is not resonating with the younger audience or providing the competitive environment needed to foster new talent. The Need for a Holistic Approach The NBA's presence in Africa, through NBA Africa, should be re-evaluated to adopt a more holistic approach. The current collaboration with BAL appears more like a marketing tool rather than a genuine development platform for African basketball. The league’s tendency to feature older players, sometimes even those well past their prime, undermines the growth and competitiveness of the sport in the region. Additionally, the economic model supporting these initiatives is unsustainable. The bankruptcy of #KweseTV, which was once a major broadcaster for African sports, is a clear indicator of the financial difficulties faced in this sector. The recent success of Nigeria's women's team and South Sudan's inspiring performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics are clear indicators of the potential that lies within African basketball.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 are the United States so far behind the likes of Argentina, Brazil, and Spain as footballing (yes, I will be referring to the sport as it’s correct name in this post) nations❓🇺🇸 < 🇦🇷🇧🇷🇪🇸 Well, there are THREE points in this post to explain why we are so far behind, and how to eventually progress to catching up.📈 1. Football in the U.S. has traditionally taken a backseat to other sports and only in recent years has it seen significant growth and investment, lagging behind many nations in their footballing development. ⚽️ 2. 2007 is when the U.S. set in place the first pathway program for our youth football academies (the USSDA, which has since dissolved). Meanwhile, Argentina has had successful youth academies dating back to the 1930s, Brazil has had youth academies nurturing talent like Pelé in the 1950s, and Spain has had the likes of FC Barcelona’s La Masia established in 1979, which has birthed the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi. So, for only having a skeletal youth pathway for coming up on 20 years, we still have many more to approach the length of establishment that other nations have achieved. 🧒 3. Great, so now I’ve told you what’s wrong, let me tell you what needs to happen for the United States to be able to eventually put up a fight on the international scale.🌎 • Significant investment in youth development and grassroots programs to cut down the 40+ year late start. • Improving coaching education. • Strengthening domestic professional pathways (MLS, USL, promotion & relegation, etc.). • Encourage player exposure and experience in top leagues around the world. • Implementing a strategic focus for the national team under new management. • And the hardest of them all, PROMOTING, CREATING, and SUPPORTING FOOTBALL CULTURE TO ALL AMERICANS. ⚽️❤️🇺🇸 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬 & 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 Parker Hulet.

That was a truly nail-biting finish between Team USA and South Sudan, ending with a close scoreline of 101-100 in favor of Team USA. South Sudan's team displayed incredible resilience, pushing the heavily favored Team USA to their limits. It's inspiring to see the South Sudanese athletes' dedication and hard work on the court, demonstrating their passion for the sport. Even though North and South Sudan are now separate nations, there's still a strong sense of unity when it comes to supporting and celebrating each other's achievements, especially in sports. This showcases the strong bond and shared history between the two nations. The performance of South Sudan's team in this match is a testament to their talent, determination, and growth in the basketball world. With more young talents emerging, the future of South Sudan's basketball program is indeed bright and promising. Let's continue to support and cheer on these incredible athletes as they make their mark on the international stage! The Sudanese basketball team has shown incredible growth and potential in recent years, particularly in their close game against Team USA. Their success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the players, as well as the guidance of experienced coaches like Luol Deng, who has played a key role in developing the team. In preparing for games against strong opponents like the USA, the Sudanese team likely focuses on studying game footage, analyzing strengths and weaknesses, and developing strategies to capitalize on their own strengths. They may also focus on improving individual skills and teamwork through practice and drills. The team's ability to adapt and learn from their opponents has contributed to their rapid improvement and their impressive performance against Team USA. As they continue to gain experience and refine their skills, the Sudanese basketball team will likely become an even more formidable opponent on the international stage. #Sudan #Strategies #Analyzing

If you wish to know why -in the end- the Chinese win in table tennis at the Olympics even if they represent another country? If you wish to know why Chinese female table tennis players migrate more then males’. If you wish to know what the migration trajectories are in the Olympic Table tennis read my open access publication. With Alexander Oonk

What an iconic photo for South Africans! Support is a Performance Multiplier This photo screams, "I got your back!" Things I noticed this past week leading up to the fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya were the support of South African sportsmen, celebrities, and the average South African alike. Would I have watched the bout otherwise? of course. Would Dricus have won otherwise? I definitely think so. But the effect of support is undeniable. The bottom line: Support acts as a multiplier for performance. Just as nations that invest in their athletes reap the rewards on the world stage, companies that invest in their employees will see the benefits in their bottom line. It’s not just about providing the tools and resources; it’s about creating an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to perform at their best. In conclusion, whether on the track or in the boardroom, the level of support provided can be the difference between good and great. Organizations that understand and implement this will not only boost performance but also foster a culture of excellence and innovation. Just as athletes bring home gold for their countries, supported employees bring success and growth to their organizations. #DDP #Eben #Siya #SouthAfrica #MMA #winning #performance #support #UFC #sport

🏉 I follow rugby as a general sports fan rather than being a fanatic but whenever a team is crowned best in the world I'm always interested in how they've done it. Especially the philosophy and the people that have made it happen....... 👀 When it's South Africa then there's always more to it than meets the eye. ".....the story of 2019 and 2023 is a masterclass in leadership in the face of severe public scrutiny and diversity goals that were dubbed “unachievable” by ex-coaches and journalists throughout the country." 🚪 Enter Rassie Erasmus, the coach 💪🏿 At the beginning of Erasmus’ tenure in 2018, the South African government and the South African Rugby Union (SARU) agreed that 45% of the Springboks team at the 2019 World Cup in Japan should be black. 🧔🏿 Erasmus made Siya Kolisi South Africa’s first-ever black captain 🗨 "We had to transform from the inside. People must feel valued. Every culture must be represented." ♀️ “(in 2019) We had four women in the management team who played a very important role for our players. That’s diversity." 🔄 Transparency was key - announcing the team early and giving everyone time to focus on the task in hand 🛣 Before he was coach Erasmus set up the Elite Player Development (EPD) program to create a pathway for players into the team - creating a route that everyone can see and achieve Thanks to Josh Dornbrack for the article - he signs off with this..... 👏 "So as we enter the final months of the year and plan for 2024, here’s a challenge to all business leaders. Stop saying things like “I don’t see colour” and “Diversity is a given in our organisation.” See colour, call out diversity – or lack thereof. I love the Springboks because they’ve given the world a blueprint for what is possible when we challenge that thinking." #leadership #rugbyworldcup #southafrica #diversity #learning

🚀 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆: 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 ⚽ As we kick off the new footballing season this weekend, it’s worth reflecting on what it takes to build a football legacy 🧬 Nations like France, Morocco, England, Germany, and Spain have proven that long-term investment in football academies can lead to global success. From Clairefontaine in France 🇫🇷, which produced legends like Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappé, to Morocco's Mohamed VI Academy 🇲🇦, which helped guide Morocco to their historic 2022 World Cup run, these academies focus on more than just football—they develop mental, physical, and technical excellence. England's St George’s Park 🇬🇧, established in 2012, redefined English football with a focus on coaching and youth development, leading to victories at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups in 2017. Similarly, Germany 🇩🇪 revamped their footballing philosophy post-2000, creating over 50 elite academies that produced World Cup winners like Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer. Meanwhile, Spain 🇪🇸 embraced a unified playing style (hello, tiki-taka!) powered by academies like La Masia, leading to a golden era with the 2010 World Cup win. 🏅 What do they all have in common? 1️⃣ World-class infrastructure and elite facilities 2️⃣ Holistic development—technical skills, mental resilience, and education 3️⃣ Clear pathways from grassroots to professional football 4️⃣ Strategic, long-term planning tied to national football philosophies The key takeaway: Footballing success isn't built overnight—it's about investing in infrastructure, fostering talent, and developing a clear national strategy. These countries’ successes are proof that long-term planning and commitment can lead to sustained periods of dominance on the global stage 🌍. #Football #YouthDevelopment #Success #Sports #Strategy #Planning

Exploring "The Football World Cup: Where Sport and Politics Collide" course by the Open University has been a captivating journey, merging my passion for the game with a deeper understanding of its political undercurrents. Beyond the surface excitement of goals and victories, delving into the course material revealed a rich tapestry where football intertwines with our history and society. One fascinating aspect is how the World Cup has often served as a political arena. Take the 1978 tournament in Argentina, for instance. Against a backdrop of political turmoil, the host nation utilized the event for strategic propaganda, showcasing unity amid internal discord. Similarly, the iconic moment when Nelson Mandela presented the trophy in 1995 symbolized the power of sports in fostering reconciliation during South Africa's post-apartheid era. Unveiling these historical anecdotes underscored that football is more than a game—it mirrors societal narratives, serving as a lens through which we can analyze political landscapes. The course has been a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between two seemingly disparate realms, enriching my understanding of both football and politics in unexpected ways. #football #soccer #keeplearning #openuniversity