Budget: Sports Call for "Comeback Package"

The cuts in sports funding and the further expected losses in the various specific budgets will not be easily accepted by organized sports. Although the day after the budget speech by Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ), representatives of the Austrian sports leadership emphasized solidarity with the entire state at a press conference in the Vienna House of Sports, the status quo should be restored in two years.

30 Million Euros

Sport Austria President Hans Niessl spoke in this context of 30 million euros that they want to see reappear in the budgets by 2027. This sum would consist of savings of 10 million euros in the Special and around 20 million euros in the General Federal Sports Funding. On Wednesday, cuts were indicated to be about twice as high as from the government side. "You always have to compare budget estimates with each other, and there is this reduction of 30 million euros," Niessl clarified his perspective in response to an APA inquiry.

This corresponds to a decline of 13 percent, affecting both elite and grassroots sports and the clubs. Niessl resisted the notion that sports had been overwhelmed by the previous government (ÖVP/Greens): "Before that, there had been no increase at all for ten years. The inflation rates are higher than the increase was." The former governor of Burgenland also pointed out that due to the increase in tax rates on sports betting and lotteries, cuts in allocations are to be expected here.

Peter McDonald did not consider saving in sports to be the right path, especially not in the long term. "It is a condition that these measures must be temporary. Only then can we support them at all," explained the Vice President for Grassroots Sports in Sport Austria. "In recent years, we have not lived like maggots in bacon. We are open to temporary savings, but not to overall savings. On the contrary, there should be reinvestment afterwards."

Sport Austria for "Comeback Package"

Sport Austria therefore demands a return to the original level of Special and General Sports Funding to 120 and 105 million euros respectively as part of the "Comeback Package" from 2027. Other demanded points include, among others, the earmarking of the increased gaming tax for sports at a rate of at least 50 percent, the implementation of an infrastructure initiative, the rollout of daily exercise units for the benefit of children and society, as well as measures for debureaucratization and administrative simplification to strengthen volunteer structures.

Now, a conversation with Sports Minister Andreas Babler and State Secretary for Sports Michaela Schmidt (both SPÖ) is to be sought. Niessl: "We are interested in representing our ideas as well as possible to the responsible bodies of the federal government." There will also be an appointment with the Finance Minister, and communication with the Interior and Defense Ministries, each employing numerous top athletes, will also be maintained. The Ministry of Education is also expected to understand the concerns of sports.

ÖOC President Horst Nussbaumer pointed out that Austrian athletes must not suffer any disadvantages due to the cuts. "Our athletes can only be among the best in the world if they have the best conditions," explained the Upper Austrian. Primarily with regard to the Olympic Winter Games, which will take place in nine months, he is committed to optimizing everything. "We must be able to look our athletes in the eye and say that we have done everything for them."

"Will hit us all very hard"

The professional associations are aware that they need to budget and plan targeted measures to make everything work. "The same applies to us in the Olympic Committee," Nussbaumer explained. "We have partners from the business sector with whom we are having intensive discussions. Milano-Cortina 2026 will require very extensive infrastructure and logistics. We must optimize everything so that we find the best conditions there." Stagnation in sports is regression. "We must always be one step ahead."

From an athlete's perspective, wheelchair tennis player Nico Langmann commented. "It will hit us all very hard. But those who invest in sports invest in health." The cuts would endanger livelihoods and deter young talent. Niessl concluded: "We expect the Sports Minister and State Secretary for Sports to fully commit to strengthening sports, to develop the framework conditions for sports, and to establish or make possible financing so that sports can truly make a comeback from 2027."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.