The Portuguese Sports Confederation (CDP), after a summit that brought together presidents of 44 federations, intends to place the sector on the political agenda and in the discussion of the State Budgets each year, the organization announced Thursday.
In a statement, the CDP lists the conclusions of the Summit of Presidents, held this Tuesday, considering that the sports development that its members yearn for is called into question, for which it is necessary to “find an antidote.”
“Sport is not a topic on the political agenda, nor does it have a place in the discussion of the General State Budgets every year,” says the CDP, adding: “It is the right time for us to fight together to finally get a budget ( until 2024) in accordance with the position of the sport”.
The organization guarantees that the representatives of the 44 federations that participated in the summit understand that “effective support for sport” must be “a responsibility and a priority” of the Government.
The CDP considers it “necessary to act” to contradict some of the figures it indicates, including the weight of 0.045% of sport in the OE, around 40% below the European average; and the average annual expense per federated athlete, which stands at 75 euros.
“These alarming figures clearly show the reason for Portugal’s position at the bottom of Europe in terms of sports practice, financial support for the activity and competitive capacity, which has the consequence of being the worst country in terms of results compared to other European partner countries with the equivalent population size,” the statement said.
In the conclusions of the meeting, the fact is also highlighted that “without federated sport, and without the promotion of sporting activity in children, Portugal will never be able to develop in the most diverse areas”.
“We are sure that the fundamental thing is the development of the sport in the grassroots clubs so that young people can access an eclectic practice and talents have the conditions to develop and have champions tomorrow,” the statement read.
Among the initiatives planned to counteract the current reality, according to the CDP, includes “the awareness of the Government and other political forces with parliamentary seats.”
Source: TSF
