Low light sports shooting is as tough as it gets. Knowledge and technique aside, I would say the bare minimum cost would be roughly $1500, budgeting $1000 for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens and $500 for an entry level camera. An enthusiast "semi-pro" level camera that would be more capable as a sports shooter would be about $1000.

Nothing will not be difficult to operate. It will require some knowledge about exposure and the auto-focus set-up to reliably get good quality photos. If someone tries to shoot using auto or sports mode, the keeper rate will be up to luck and very low.