On Tuesday, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated 449,025 euros from the state budget to the maintainers of state-owned national sports bases in order to stabilize the financial situation after the security measures introduced to curb Covid-19.
The bobsleigh and sleigh track “Sigulda” has been allocated 226,263 euros, the sports center “Daugava Stadium” – 150,000 euros, the tennis center “Lielupe” – 39,402 euros, and the sports center “Mežaparks” – 33,360 euros.
The money is allocated to cover salaries, utilities, maintenance and upkeep costs and other expenses related to economic activities.
In the four capital companies of the sports sector, 100% of the capital shares are held by the State Ministry of Education and Science (MES).
The Ministry of Education and Science explains that the security measures imposed to limit the spread of Covid-19 have directly affected state-run national sports facilities. They have been completely suspended for a limited period of time, as well as very strict restrictions, which have not resulted in any revenue that could be used to maintain these bases.
In addition, state-owned companies could not qualify for government support for Covid-19 crisis-affected sports centers.
All these sports bases are mainly used for the training process and organization of national level sports competitions, as well as for providing various sports-related support processes. These sports bases can also host international competitions, but in recent years the number has been relatively small.
