Groundbreaking Research from 13th African Games Explores Life After Sport for Athletes.

The 13th African Games, hosted in Accra, Ghana, from 8–23 March 2024, brought together over 5,000 athletes from across the continent to celebrate elite performance, unity, and sporting excellence. With 29 disciplines on display, the games created a unique platform for research into critical issues shaping the future of African sport.

The research investigates the transition of African athletes from competitive sport to life beyond the field. Based on data from 444 athletes and 136 technical staff (coaches, medical teams, etc.) representing 42 African countries and 25 sporting disciplines, the study combines survey insights with 53 in-depth interviews to uncover how athletes prepare for their post-sport journeys.

One such initiative, led by Stellenbosch University’s Maties Sport in collaboration with the South African Centre for Olympic Studies and Social Impact (SACOSSI) and the Centre for Sport Leadership (CSL), culminated in a pioneering study titled “Life After Sport.” Findings reveal inspiring personal strategies and systemic gaps, highlighting where sport federations, institutions, and national systems can better support athlete welfare and long-term development.

This study contributes to the growing work on athlete welfare, sustainable sport systems, and social impact. It is intended to influence future strategic planning, policymaking, and programme design across the continent.

A series of webinars and stakeholder engagements will soon be hosted to share key insights and discuss implementation pathways.

You can download the summary report now: Stellenbosch Univerity – Life After Sport Research Report – Summary Final

If you’d like access to the full study, please get in touch at matiesport@sun.ac.za