Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Czech sport in financial crisis

Czech sport hasn't been in a good economic situation for many years. The Czech Government is giving the least money to this department from all countries of European Union, except Malta and Bulgaria. But the Czech sport has had a long tradition and many successes, especially in ice hockey, athletics, shooting, soccer, or skiing.
Those are the reasons why in May, there was a huge two-date debate on sport, where many politicians and chairmen of the most popular sports and sport associations had speeches. They agreed that the sport needs more money and the politicians promised they'll give them.
However, in June, a new Government was elected. Last week, Finance Minister released a message, where  he said the sport will get 160 million Czech Crowns less [about $8 million]. So the Czech Association of Physical education and Sports [CAPS] has to find the money somewhere else. But it isn't an easy task during the Global Economic Crisis. Many of small associations has already had existential problems, and bigger ones aren't in much better situation.
A chairman of the CAPS released a message that they will have to sell a big stadium in the center of Prague, or even tear down for place for new flats because these lucrative grounds has a value 7 billion Czech Crowns.




Czech speed skater Martina Sablikova in the Olympics in Vancouver 2010 [2 golds and 1 bronz]



A famous Czech victory in the Olympic ice hockey tournament in Nagano 1998

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