Infrastructure investment when participation exists but societal valuation doesn’t – what’s the economic rationale?

I read about Ethiopia's national table tennis championships and it raised an interesting economics question.

The situation:

-Athletes train 13 months for one tournament

-Families invest significant resources (2-hour roundtrip drives, equipment costs, training fees)

-Participation is real and sustained

-BUT society doesn't value it – minimal recognition, unsuitable facilities, low prize money

One player said: "Table tennis is not well known and respected in our country."

From an economics perspective, how should governments allocate infrastructure when revealed preference (people do it) contradicts stated preference (society doesn't value it)?

Full article for reference

Standard theory says investment follows demand signals. But here there's clear participation without social valuation. Is there economic literature on public goods provision when demand signals are mixed?