The decision of the Ministry of Education and Culture on the suspension of funding for LBF does not apply to professional sports education. Those sports schools, which implement professionally oriented sports education programs in boxing and groups and which have met the performance criteria set in the regulatory framework, have the right to receive state funding for the wages of sports trainers and the mandatory contributions of the state social insurance.
According to the fourth part of Article 13 of the Sports Law, sports federations recognized in Latvia have the right to receive financial funds from the state budget. The status of a recognized sports federation was granted to LBF in accordance with the Law on Sports and the Cabinet of Ministers’ Regulations “Procedures for the Recognition of Sports Federations and the Control of Recognized Sports Federations”, giving the federation the right to lead and coordinate work in the form of boxing in the country, as well as to represent the country in the relevant international sports organization – IBA . Paragraph 2 of Article 10.2 of the Sports Law stipulates that the status of a recognized sports federation is revoked if the activity of the sports federation does not comply with the regulatory enactments in the field of sports and the statutes of the sports federation.
In accordance with the current regulation, LBF was recognized at the time when the federation’s international sports organization – IBA was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but now the actual and legal conditions for the federation as a recognized sports federation have changed. Namely, at the IOC session of June 22, 2023, a decision was made to exclude the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the list of recognized international sports federations, as the organization did not meet the principles of good governance established by the IOC. After the IOC decision, LBF is no longer an internationally recognized federation.
The decision of the LSFP board to change the status of the LBF was adopted at the meeting of October 16, 2024 and was based on the decisions of its Commission of Sports Federations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as non-fulfillment of legal and regulatory requirements by the federation.
From the sub-program “Grant for support of sports organizations, programs and events” of the state budget program “Sports” of the Ministry of Education and Culture, LBF received funding of 10,727 euros in 2024. During the examination of the federation’s justification documents submitted to the Ministry of Education and Culture, it was found that the federation had used the funds allocated by the state budget in the amount of 5363 euros before losing the status of the recognized federation. Based on the mutual agreement, the Ministry of the Interior has requested to repay the unspent state budget funds in the amount of 5,364 euros by December 1, 2024.
Interview: Time.news Editor with Sports Law Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to the show! Today, we’re diving into a major development in Latvian sports that has raised eyebrows across the nation. Joining me is Dr. Anna Rūme, a renowned expert in sports law. Thank you for being here, Dr. Rūme.
Dr. Anna Rūme: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this important issue.
Editor: Let’s get straight to it. The Ministry of Education and Culture recently decided to suspend funding for the Latvian Boxing Federation, or LBF. What does this suspension mean for boxing schools in Latvia?
Dr. Rūme: This suspension specifically pertains to non-professional sports programs. However, it’s crucial to note that professional sports education programs, such as those in boxing, can still receive state funding if they meet established performance criteria. This means that while the federation may face challenges, dedicated sports schools can continue to operate and receive financial support for trainers and insurance contributions.
Editor: That’s a silver lining. But can you explain what led to the Ministry’s decision in the first place?
Dr. Rūme: Certainly. The suspension follows the International Olympic Committee’s decision to exclude the International Boxing Association (IBA) from its list of recognized organizations. Since the LBF’s recognition is tied to the IBA’s status, this change raises significant questions about the federation’s legitimacy and eligibility for funding. According to Latvian Sports Law, a recognized sports federation must comply with certain regulations, and following the IOC’s decision, the LBF’s status has come under scrutiny.
Editor: So, it’s essentially a domino effect stemming from the IBA’s loss of recognition. How does this affect athletes and the boxing community in Latvia?
Dr. Rūme: It creates uncertainty for athletes, especially those aiming for professional careers. The lack of a recognized governing body may hinder their ability to participate in international competitions and secure funding for training facilities and programs. The boxing community may find itself in a transitional phase, needing to adapt quickly to the new legal landscape.
Editor: And what might happen if the LBF fails to align itself with the regulatory requirements?
Dr. Rūme: If the LBF does not meet the necessary compliance conditions set forth by the law and the statutes of the federation, its official status could be revoked. This would likely lead to a complete withdrawal of financial support and further isolate Latvian boxing on the international stage.
Editor: With those potential consequences looming, what options do you think are available to the LBF moving forward?
Dr. Rūme: The LBF will need to take decisive steps to address these challenges. They could seek to reaffirm compliance with sports regulations, work on rebuilding the relationship with the IBA, or even explore partnerships with other recognized federations. Open dialogue with the Ministry and transparency in operations will also be critical in restoring confidence.
Editor: That sounds like quite a road ahead! As we conclude, what do you think this situation teaches us about the intersection of sports, governance, and compliance?
Dr. Rūme: This situation underscores how interconnected sports management is with broader governance structures. Compliance with international standards not only affects funding but also impacts the athletes’ future opportunities. It’s a vivid reminder that sports organizations must often navigate complex legal and regulatory frameworks while championing their athletes’ ambitions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rūme, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. We hope to see a resolution that supports the boxing community in Latvia.
Dr. Rūme: Thank you for having me! I share the hope for a constructive path forward.
Editor: This has been an enlightening discussion. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds in Latvian boxing and beyond.