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The voice of sports and non-formal education in Lithuania does not reach the ears not only of the Head of Government, but also of the clergy of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports.
Since January, the vast majority of representatives of sports clubs and children’s non-formal education have filled officials with requests to create the conditions for sports and activities after the end of the quarantine, but the work was the same. than the work of Sifiz: whoever did what the stone was left at the foot of the mountain.
“The Association sent not only letters but also proposals to Prime Minister Ingrid Šimonytė, the Government Emergency Situations Commission and the Ministry of Sports.
We talked about suggestions on how sport and non-formal education should return after the quarantine, but the answers were simple: “thanks for toasting.” And everything ”, assured the head of the VJNŠA with frustration.
Unhampered by a possible total collapse, the 46 united sports organizations demanded from the government not only a special resumption plan, but also adequate compensation for the country’s government’s decisions to suspend operations.
Refund the rental price
The main requirement of sports organizations is the reimbursement of the costs associated with the rental of the premises.
“After all, the income of all sports clubs or institutions fell from 60 to 100 percent. The sports and health sector is one of the most affected by the pandemic.
It has not been able to operate for more than half a year in the last 12 months. If the restrictions are now lifted, sports organizations will remain on a list where they are still unable to do anything.
However, even after the opening of sports halls and clubs, no strategy will be seen, it is necessary to assign specific subsidies to the sector, to take care of the restoration of public health after the quarantine, but they do not think about that, “he said. . N. Juškienė.
There are also those who have not stopped their activities.
“I am standing in the empty corridor of Balzek Tennis Academy, which has an area of 3000 square meters and I feel helpless. I can guarantee all the requirements, there are necessary areas, social distance, but I can not do anything, because the government does not think in children, parents or people who play sports.
Not even one percent of all offers were fulfilled. So you just have to shout out loud: the academy is one millimeter from bankruptcy, ”Remigijus Balžekas, the founder of the tennis academy, commented on the failed position of the state towards the sports community.
The famous tennis coach, who has been blocking the rented pavilion for more than three months, assures that the biggest headache is the rent of the premises, which until then amounted to 12 thousand euros per month.
The face of the academy explained that without receiving income from tennis coaching, now it is not only difficult for him to pay the rent, but also to keep the coaches.
“In accordance with government regulations, we have an athlete who meets the criteria of high excellence. Only he could train. It is funny.
Now he offers us – go to the field to train. Well, I remember training with Richard Berankis on time to minus a grade.
But not with the children and not with the Lithuanian spring weather. Worst of all, I am an obedient citizen and I behave as required by the authorities. But I also know those schools, for which this quarantine is not the same: how the training was carried out, that’s how it was, how the tennis players played, so that they play in silence.
It’s frustrating for that, but my name is more important to me than being able to get money for cheating. And angry. He is angry that the government does not lift a finger due to the help of organizations dedicated to sports activities, “said R. Balžekas.
A well-known tennis specialist said that he had not heard of restrictions on sports organizations like in Lithuania.
“Let’s take Spain, now one of our athletes has gone to the tournament at the Rafael Nadal Academy. The Czechs are completely closed, but sports are allowed.
It is also possible to play sports in Germany, subject to all requirements. We decided otherwise, “explained R. Balžek.
Coaches will change professions
Meanwhile, Andrius Čerškus, the founder of the Capital Basketball School, which promises to celebrate the 99th anniversary of Lithuanian basketball, fears that government bans on sports will become a death sentence for the entire national basketball court.
According to the manager, the lax approach of sports organizations will soon lose most of the coaches, as they will be attracted to those sectors that will provide them with at least a basic income.
“I am not saying that the children have been training remotely for more than four months. We are talking about a total demotivation: the coaches are also tired of these kinds of activities when they receive 200 euros a month for work.
And now we have the fact that there is no aid plan for non-formal education. There is already the fear that coaches left to their own devices will run to other jobs.
I suggest introducing the phrase “risky profession”. These coaches are now representatives of a profession of risk, because with the imminent threat of the third wave of the pandemic, they will once again be unnecessary, ”said A.Čerškus.
Income from the capital’s basketball schools has fallen more than 80 percent in the last four months, and the current government decision to allow non-formal early childhood education in open spaces with no more than 5 children as of 6 March is illogical.
“There are about 20 children in the groups. It turns out that the coach should spend four times more time in a group than before.
Naturally, this is not possible: it would be a very heavy financial burden for parents of children who play sports. This is not a solution for non-formal education ”, said the director of SKM.
Have a project
Most sports clubs and non-formal education organizations believe that the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has completely distanced itself from the sports community and does not defend its aspirations.
The ministry is also criticized for not having a clear plan for how the country’s sports and non-formal education organizations should live after the quarantine, and for not seeking opportunities to provide financial assistance to the affected segment of society.
“The losses suffered by the sports sector to the Government are known and ways are being sought to help sports clubs, public institutions and sports federations.
There are more activities and sectors affected, and these processes take time, it is related to funds ”, the press service of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports officially responded to the reprimands.
