The planned state budget financing for sports in Latvia may decline by EUR 5.96 million, as detailed in the 2021 budget plan.
The plan notes that this year’s funding is EUR 38.8 million. For next year, however, the funding for this sector is at EUR 32.8 million.
For example, next year none of the national sports directions will receive funding for development of sports infrastructure. Compared to 2020, the funding for sports structures in 2021 will reduce by EUR 5.1 million. EUR 627,957 will be allocated for the National Sports Bases that receive rants to finance their economic activities.
General expenditures will also reduce for the budget program “Sports federation and sports activities”. This program was provided EUR 3.11 million in 2020. Next year’s funding amount is planned at EUR 2.34 million.
Grants for international events of the national importance in Latvia will also reduce. Information from the state budget project shows there are two such sports events planned to take place in Latvia (three in 2020). The general change in expenditures when compared to 2020 is EUR 242,415. The same amount is planned for this next year.
The number of international sports competitions organized in Latvia will decline by 30, and it is planned for the country to hold a total of 100 international sports competitions in 2021.
At the same time, state grants for team sports will reduce by EUR 369,334. In 2021, it is planned to allocate EUR 1.36 million for this goal in 2021.
It is also planned to reduce the number of athletes in Latvia’s Olympic teams next year – from 163 in 2020 to 115 for the next three years. The number of Latvian Olympics team players and their coaches that receive monthly benefits will reduce by 45.
At the same time, it should be said that the 2021 budget project no longer includes support for high-class athlete training centers. A considerable financing reduction is planned for the high-class sports program. Compared to this year’s funding, the reduction is EUR 1.6 million.
The prize fund for athletes who accomplish excellent results in sports competitions will remain unchanged. Funding for this is planned at EUR 42,686.
The 2021 budget project mentions that Education and Science Ministry’s priority activities for next year include sports industry’s financing and management model review, as well as improvement of the sports industry’s regulations. (BNN/Business World Magazine)
