site.btaFinance, Sports Ministers Present Programme to Renovate Sports Facilities

Finance Minister Assen Vassilev and Youth and Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev presented on Wednesday in Sofia a new programme for the renovation of sports facilities with public financial resources.

Eighteen representatives from the biggest sports clubs in the country participated in the meeting.

"Last week, a regulation on co-financing of sports facilities for clubs in Bulgaria was adopted. It is high time that sports in Bulgaria stop being financed according to preferences, on the basis of who likes whom, and start being financed according to rules and on the basis of what fans like, not politicians," Vassilev said at the beginning of the meeting.

The Minister of Finance explained that the rules are made in such a way that for every sum that the clubs secure, from the sale of tickets, articles with the club brand, sponsorship, TV rights, etc., and then invest in sports infrastructure, the state will match the same sum.

"First, the clubs that have more fans, more sponsors, more TV rights will naturally get more funding. This will not depend on a political decision. Second, when half the money belongs to the club, I am sure that this money will be spent wisely. This is fair play. Same rules for everyone,” Vassilev said.

This year, BGN 10 million has been allocated under the programme, but in the following years there will be enough resources, so that the state will provide half of the money for investment in a new project for repairs and construction of sports facilities.

"This year, we have allocated a relatively small resource. Project proposals can be submitted until November 30, will be evaluated within two to three weeks and funds will be transferred by the end of the year. Based on the interest, we will allocate a resource for next year," explained the Finance Minister.

"What we're aiming for is to have objective metrics, an evaluation methodology that gives clear numbers, to determine who should get funding and how. I think it's a good funding mechanism - engaging, because everyone who wants to build something must also do their part," explained Sports Minister Dimitar Iliev.