The Portuguese Sports Federation (CDP) plans to put the sector on the political agenda and in the discussion of the state budget every year after a summit where presidents of 44 federations met, the organization announced today. In a statement, the CDP lists the conclusions of Tuesday’s summit of chairmen as the sporting development that its members desire is called into question, so 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 state budget each year,” the CDP says, adding: “It is the right time for us to fight together to finally reach a budget (for 2024) in line with the position that the sport occupies”.
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 priority” of the government. The CDP deems it “necessary to act” to contradict some of the figures it points out, including the sport’s 0.045% weight in the OE, about 40% below the European average; and the average annual expenditure per federated athlete, which is 75 euros.
“These frightening figures clearly show the reason for Portugal’s position at the end of Europe in terms of sports practice, financial support for the activity and competitiveness, resulting in it being the worst country in terms of results compared to other European countries. partners with an equivalent population size,” the statement said.
The conclusions of the meeting also emphasized that “without federated sport and without the promotion of sports activities among children, Portugal will never be able to develop in the most diverse fields”. “We are confident that the development of sport in grassroots clubs is fundamental so that young people have access to an eclectic practice and talents have the conditions to develop and have champions tomorrow,” the statement read.
Among the planned initiatives to counter the current reality, according to the CDP, are “raising awareness of the government and other political forces with a parliamentary seat”.
João Paulo Correia “surprised” with the position of the CDP and “regretted”
“I have had no phone call, no request for an audience, no email and the confederation, which sits on the National Sports Council, which has already met twice in these nine months of mandate, has never spoken on this subject,” João That is what Paulo Correia told the Bureau Lusa, Secretary of State for Sport.
The government holder with the sports portfolio said he was “surprised” by the position made public today by the CDP and that he “regretted” the way he made his claims public. The Secretary of State for Sport showed “openness to dialogue and consultation” and said today he will contact the President of the Portuguese Sports Federation “for a meeting in the coming days”.
Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Physical Association of Torres Vedras, in the Lisbon district, on the last day of a national tour to meet and discuss sports institutions, the minister “recognized the sector’s legitimacy to lay claim to make more money”.
However, João Paulo Correia recalled that the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ) “two weeks ago strengthened the funds of sports federations by an average of 6.5% compared to the expected value for 2023″. “Funding for Olympic and Paralympic preparation grew from €28.5 million [ME] to 31.2 ME, support for high achievements was also expanded, school sports had funding of 40 ME in 2022 and the value of sports betting aimed at the federations totals almost 60 ME,” the official said
Source: DN
