During the last few weeks, in the context of state budget planning, the dissatisfaction of sports organizations has been very loud, not only with the inability or unwillingness of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) to find additional funding for the participation of the national teams in next year’s European and world championships, but also with the intention to significantly reduce the funding provided for sports federations.
In the context of this dissatisfaction, civil servants, individual journalists and sofa experts have taken a stand on the other side of the front, who tend to rebuke that the fat cats should work more with the private sector, and not just stand at the state treasury box. But what is it like in reality?
State support for sports federations
Although the total national sports budget in 2025 is more than 56 million euros, a significantly smaller portion goes to sports organizations. The grant for the support of sports organizations, programs and events this year is 22,769,703 euros. But even from this amount, only a third, or less than 7.5 million euros, reaches the federations through three different sub-programs. Of course, a couple of million more are allocated from the coffers of “contingency funds”, but this does not change the essence of the matter.
So – 7.5 million euros for 75 federations. And no – no “fat cat” will judge it in his lunch. According to Ministry of Interior data, only 15% of this funding is spent on administrative expenses. This amount is certainly less than what the federations themselves contribute to the national treasury in the form of taxes.
For the annually allocated money, federations must ensure a series of obligations set out in the laws and in the contract with the Ministry of the Interior – they must be able to organize youth and adult championships, ensure the work of national teams of all ages, further education events for coaches, be involved in the organization of public and old masters events, ensure good management, transparency, sportsmen’s registers, access to information and, of course, achieve the highest results, with whose social network profiles could later be shared by sport’s biggest friends – politicians and civil servants.
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State money in the common pot
According to the criteria, the TOP 15 federations received 4.2 million euros in state budget funds (VBL) this year. Team sports federations among them received an additional 1.1 million. Seemingly a lot, but the total budget of these 15 federations in 2024 was almost 49 million euros! 49 million against 5.3 million. Yes, these budgets also include funds from LNG and other sources, but in any case, the state’s “share” is barely more than 20%. In addition, in cases where funding is allocated for the organization of events in Latvia, it remains in the Latvian economy and, in the case of a successful outcome, also provides a significant economic contribution. It can be safely stated that the economic contribution of “EuroBasket” has been many times greater than the investment of the Latvian state in basketball during the last 10 years.
If we look at the TOP 15 federations, then in eight of them the share of VBL in the total budget is less than 30%, but in only two it makes up more than half. When comparing such a structure with the funding sources of political parties, cultural organizations or other non-governmental organizations supported by the state, sports actually have one of the most proportionate ratios of public money to funding from other sources. Sports federations not only attract additional funding from the private sector, but are also able to secure significant funds from international organizations and, by organizing hundreds of international events, make a significant contribution to the development of tourism and regions.
International money is the true pillar of Latvian sports
7.5 million for all sports organizations is twice less than UEFA gives to the Latvian Football Federation (LFF). According to the publicly available LFF 2025 budget plan, UEFA’s investment in Latvian sports is almost 15 million euros, of which 5 million are directed to the clubs’ youth academies. Another 1.6 million is invested in Latvian sports by FIFA.
Without the support of international organizations, Latvian sports would be many times poorer. And it’s not just about royal football. Co-financing by international organizations is also significant in other federations. For example, the Latvian Biathlon Federation, to which the state gave only 50,000 euros this year, received almost ten times more from the international organization last year – 474,213 euros. In 2025, the Latvian Volleyball Federation (LVF) will have attracted around 400,000 euros from international organizations. Provisionally, the funding of international organizations, which annually flows into Latvian sports, is more than 22 million euros. It is money that warms Latvian sports and economy. Money that Latvian sports officials pretend not to notice and do not appreciate.
Without the work and activities of national federations, both in Latvia and in the international arena, such funding would not be possible. Federations also invest the raised funds in infrastructure, equipment, coach education and youth development. Just one example – five years ago there were two female volleyball players with decent professional contracts in Latvia, but now 19 are playing in foreign clubs. They also bring their money earned abroad to Latvia and will probably one day invest it in local capital – just like Porzingis or the Bertani brothers.
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State duty and the role of sport
State co-financing for sports organizations is important and necessary, but it is primarily necessary to fulfill the goals and tasks defined by the state itself. In addition, it would only be fair to admit that the big federations direct much more to children’s and youth championships and youth national teams than they receive from the state. For example, the ice hockey federation, which receives 560,000 EUR from the state this year, spends more than 600,000 EUR to ensure all national championships. So – pay extra from your own pocket.
It is clear that the Ministry of Education and Culture alone cannot implement sports policy and is mistaken in its own priorities. The construction of a football stadium is not a question of the LFF’s existence, basketball would not die without holding the European Championship in Riga, and nothing would change for the swimming federation if the state suddenly granted co-financing for children’s swimming lessons, which, despite being included in various policy planning documents and priorities, has not been able to be implemented for decades. They take the initiative because the state administration is too detached from reality, someone does not see the political potential, or there is simply no motivation to move a finger for the benefit of sports.
As incredible as it may sound to some, national federations, unlike national governing bodies, often have a much broader understanding, greater ambitions and clearer goals. They want sports to develop, children to play more sports, and they also want to earn money – so that they can further develop their sport. It is ambition and a clear vision that distinguish the non-governmental sector from the public administration, which, unable to implement one reform, promises the next, shooting itself in the foot with thoughtless, short-sighted decisions.
Sport and safety – one system
I fully agree and I am not going to dispute the strengthening of defense capabilities as the absolute priority of the moment, but you cannot look at security issues only through the prism of military procurement. It is impossible to talk about strengthening defense capabilities while ignoring the fact that years of inadequate swimming training and water safety problems claim dozens of lives every year – mostly young men. It is also impossible to talk about strengthening defense capabilities if 70% of young people are in poor physical shape when they join the national defense service.
Sports and defense are not separate concepts – a physically strong and united society is the basis of national security.
In conclusion
Sports federations are not consumers. They are professional partners who annually give more to the state than they receive from it, with the funding, amount of work and public contribution.
The question is different: is the country ready to invest to get more – a stronger, healthier and safer society – or will it continue to think only in redistributive categories, in which sports organizations are given the last place, because often they are not politically convenient, completely ignoring the fact that weak federations also mean a weak sports system, weak interest in sports, weak economic contribution and weak achievements?
The author is the general secretary of the Latvian Volleyball Federation.
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