Puče: IZM sports funding contest looks like a pre-arranged deal

Journalist Armands Puče has criticised a competition announced by Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) for state co-financing of world and European championships. Speaking on TV24’s “Press Club” programme, Puče said the five-day application window raises questions about the fairness of the procedure. The total amount available is €225,000, and the championships to be funded must take place in 2026. Applicants also need an opinion from the National Sports Council.

The ministry says the deadline is proportionate because sports federations were aware of the planned competition for about a year. Puče, however, doubts that a proper application can be prepared in such a short time if the applicant had no prior knowledge of the conditions. He rhetorically asked who could arrange European championships in ten or three days.

The journalist also compared the amount with previous funding allocations, noting that the Basketball Federation received €5 million a year earlier. In that context, €225,000 appears negligible. Puče described the situation as an “elegant political shop”, suggesting that those responsible believe the public does not see or understand what is happening. He added that not everyone in Latvia is a fool and many people understand the situation.

Puče called for more respectful treatment of public money, especially when competition rules raise suspicions of a predetermined outcome. Aleksandrs Samoilovs, director of the ministry’s Sports Department, denied that winners were known in advance. He said all federations had been informed and that the competition was intended for organisations already entitled to host championships in 2026. Eight applicants have registered for the contest.