Sports scholarships will be awarded to 43 athletes

The Board of the Latvian Council of Sports Federations (LSFP) has approved the recipients of the Sports Scholarship for the academic year 2021/2022 – 43 student athletes have received them. The maximum scholarship in the amount of 1,500 euros has been awarded to five athletes: sleigh rider Roberts Plūme, weightlifter Artūrs Plēsnieks, speed rider Oleg Mikhailov, cross-country skier Raimo Vīgants and checker Marija Magdalena Nereda.

The aim of the sports scholarships is to support the dual career of high-class athletes – to promote their opportunities to combine the growth of sports skills and studies, also – to popularize student sports and to promote the preparation of reserves for Latvian national teams.

In total, athletes were awarded one-time scholarships in the amount of 500 to 1,500 euros, evaluating their athletic achievements for a period of two academic years (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). The source of funding for sports scholarships is the budget provided by the state (Ministry of Education and Science) and a total of 39,900 euros have been allocated this year, but the total number of applications received is 75.

President of the LSFP Einars Fogelis emphasizes the role of education in the life of every athlete: “It is a great pleasure that we have received a little more applications than last year, which shows that young athletes think not only about their sporting future, but also about full-fledged personal development. I think that the last couple of years, for reasons we all know, have given us a lot of thought, especially in the field of sports, because there have not been so many competitions and everyday training has been difficult. This time could be used in different ways, so I am proud of every athlete who started or continues training. Latvia needs strong and smart athletes with a view to the future! ”

Also Chairwoman of the Scholarship Commission, Professor Agita Ābele welcomes the athletes’ choice to improve their personalities. “Due to the consequences of the Covid pandemic, this season has been difficult in sports, but we are glad that, despite everything, there are athletes who have been active. Sport is always about striving for new achievements, but so is education. There are both starts and various obstacles in the distance – also intermediate finishes, but in general you can develop throughout your life. It plays an important role in the development of a comprehensive personality. We are proud of every athlete who goes this route, ”said the chairman of the commission.

Most scholarship students study at Riga Technical University – 14, Latvian Academy of Sports Pedagogy – 12 and University of Latvia – 8, while the most popular sports represented by athletes are: athletics (8), floorball (7), beach volleyball (3) and bullet shooting (3) .

In making the decision to award scholarships, the LSFP Board is based on the recommendation of the Sports Scholarship Commission, which has been developed by assessing the athletes’ progress and achievements. The LSFP Sports Scholarship Commission consists of representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia, the Council of Latvian Sports Federations, the Latvian Olympic Committee, the Latvian Academy of Sports Pedagogy and the Latvian Olympic Unit.

Winners of sports scholarships 2021/2022. in the academic year:

A scholarship of 1,500 euros has been awarded to a sled athlete Robert Plum (LSPA), weightlifter Artūrs Plēsnieks (LSPA), speed skater Oleg Mikhailov (DU), cross – country skier Raimo Vīgants (LU) and checkers Mary Magdalene Nereda (LU).

A scholarship of 1,400 euros has been awarded to a short tracker Robert Kruzberg (LSPA) and athletics To Valery Valinschikov (RTU).

A 1,300 euro scholarship has been awarded to a beach volleyball player Kristai Paeglei (LU), representative of free struggle Anastasia Grigoryeva (University of Cologne) and a bullet shooter Agate Rashman (LSPA).

A scholarship of 1,200 euros has been awarded to a skeletonist Valtam Smilgam (LU) and the sailor Esther Paula Kumpiņa (RSU).

A scholarship of 1,100 euros was awarded to a floorball player Laurai Gaugerei (RTU), figure skater Denis Vasilyev (DU), skeletonistei Dārtai Esterei Zuntei (RTU) and bullet shooter Lauris Pēteris Strautmanis (LSPA).

A scholarship of 1,000 euros was awarded to a chess player Madarai Golsta (RTU), florbolistam Reinis Rudzitis (LU), florbolistam Ralph Matis Balodis (RTU), florbolistam To Krišjānis Tiltiņš (RISEBA), florbolistam Valters Lapiņš (LU) and floorball player Rūdolfs Vilmanis (RTU).

A 900 euro scholarship has been awarded to a bobsledder Dāvis Kaufmanis (RTU), for speeding Richard Ansviesulim (LSPA) and athletics Sergei Soklakov (LSPA).

A 700 euro scholarship was awarded to an athlete Anāte Kalniņa (RTU), athlete Robertam Jānis Zālītis (LSPA) an orientieristei Elza Kuzei (RTU), beach volleyball player Rinaldam (Banking University / Swiss Business School) and athletics Iļjam Petrushenko (Walked.U).

A 600 euro scholarship has been awarded to a beach volleyball player Rūdolfs Stankevičs (RTU) and a bullet shooter Emil Vaserman (LSPA).

A scholarship of 500 euros was awarded to a floorball player Nikolai Thicknesses (RSU), orientieristei Anna Emilija Suta (RTU), biatlonistei Inesei Golubeva (DU), athlete Dmitry Lashenko (RTU), basketbolistei Paula Kleshchova (LSPA), kayakers and canoeists To Katrīna Smiltniece (LSPA), for highway cyclists Paulam Rubenim (LSPA), table tennis Liana Zeltina (RTU), athlete Liga Vecbērza (LU), table tennis player Victoria Majorova (RTU) and athletics Sandim Dzenitis (LU).

Photo: Latvian Luge Federation Roberts Plūme and Mārtiņš Bots