By decision of the Deputy Minister of Sports, the credits to the National Sports Centers of the country for 2024 were allocated from the regular budget of the Ministry and, as promised by Yannis Vroutsis, they are increased by 52.18%. Specifically, the 17 EAKs across the territory, the “heart of Greek sports“, as Mr. Vroutsis has characterized it, are now subsidized with 31.95 million euros, compared to 20.995 million euros in 2023, i.e. with 10.955 million euros more.
The increase implemented by the Government in the financing of sports facilities is unprecedented, after the reinforcement of 66 million euros per year for professional and amateur associations, as well as the national teams of all sports, through the taxation of the profits of the betting players.
As the Deputy Minister of Sports has already informed the administrations of the EAKs, their additional funding concerns the improvement and upgrading of the existing infrastructures, so that they become absolutely safe and benefit athletes, athletes and fans.
In a related letter from last month, Mr. Vroutsis had emphasized that “central policy of the Ministry of Sports is to ensure safe, modern and sustainable sports facilities and in this direction the utilization of new resources should be launched exclusively. We have a duty, with absolute transparency, to lead our Sports into the new era and all together, with synergies and dedication to our mission, to give the Greek citizen what he deserves. Modern, safe and upgraded sports centers».
Yannis Vroutsis also emphasized that “… solutions and projects must be implemented, depending on the particularities of the facilities and the seriousness of the issues faced by the sports infrastructure, with prioritization and with planning by expenditure category, for the best use of resources».
In fact, the minister had highlighted a specific framework of commitments that must be respected in order to be implemented as a matter of priority:
1. Safe sports facilities, with the issuance of the necessary fire safety and static adequacy certificates.
2. Absolute accessibility of athletes and athletes with disabilities (PWD) to sports facilities.
3. Schedule and description of the projects to be carried out for the improvement, maintenance and energy upgrading of the existing infrastructure.
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