Britain distributes over ten times the amount of state funding for elite sport as we do in Ireland, and it does so on a multi annual basis. That does not mean however that there are not problems in who gets what how much and for what purpose.
Yesterday the appeals committee of UK Sport turned down an appeal by Basketball in the UK for restoration of funding that had been cut following poor performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games. It did likewise for Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming, as well as Paralympics sports goalball, visually impaired football and wheelchair fencing.
Basketball does still receive funding for grassroots and participation initiatives but nothing for elite teams to compete at international level. This is despite growing engagement with the NBA who have played matches in London and Manchester, and ironically on the day when the annual March Madness competition begins in the US and will be watched by many hundreds of thousands both here and in Britain.
Responding to criticism of the decision, Liz Nichol, CEO of UK Sport said:
“If the nation values sporting success we can deliver it, but only if we remain focused, as the Olympic and Paralympic environment is becoming increasingly competitive. I am confident our approach will continue to deliver more wonderful moments to inspire the nation.
“These are tough calls to make and we know that it is even tougher for the sports and athletes directly affected by funding withdrawal. All of these sports know that they have the opportunity to come back to us at the annual review stage each autumn to make a case for future funding if they can demonstrate a realistic opportunity to win a medal within the next two Olympic or Paralympic cycles.”
This question of sport for sports sake versus a pursuit only of those where medals are likely is one that is played out in meeting rooms and pitch sides across the world. It is undoubtedly the case that surgical analysis of spending and the likely reward will be different depending on which you value most, bearing in mind that one done right will lead to a rise in the other.
Funding elite basketball would have cost £33 million between 2006 and 2024 when the first medal prospect is possible. UK Sport Chairman Rod Carr said yesterday that “To invest £33m at that rate is frankly not a good use of public money.”
