Posted: 15.12.2022 12:32:00

Lukashenko criticised the state of affairs in football and many other sports in Belarus

The President of Belarus has been reported by Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk. The agenda includes certain issues of the development of sports under the sanctions. Alongside the main speaker, President of the National Olympic Committee Viktor Lukashenko, Deputy Head of the President Administration Igor Lutsky and relevant Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko were also invited to the Palace of Independence.

Aleksandr Lukashenko immediately began the conversation with criticism, “Here are the people on whom the development of sports in the country depends. Although I sometimes wonder: what to develop here? What do we lack to ensure that our teams, our athletes perform at the highest level? During this meeting, I would like to hear from you what you lack. What sports grounds, facilities and others do you need in order to win 20-30 medals at the Olympics? We once earned these awards, when there were no sports facilities at all.”

In particular, the Head of State focused on the state of affairs in football.

“The FIFA World Cup is currently taking place. Sergei Mikhailovich [Kovalchuk], for some reason I did not notice our football players there. Or am I just watching the World Cup inattentively?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked with irony. “I compare the game of our football players with the football that athletes show there today. Moreover, they demonstrate these results in the winter time. As a former footballer who played a lot of football, I just get scared. This sport, like many others, is in a horrifying condition.”

The Head of State reminded that when appointing Sergei Kovalchuk to the position of Sports and Tourism Minister, he was counting on a concrete return, “I was hoping that you, as a military man, who enjoys sports and understands it, will improve the state of affairs there. I’m not talking about the Deputy PM. I don’t see a Deputy PM there at all, not in any social sphere. What do we have now? Many years have passed. And if we take one year for two years, you know how much it will be. Where are these results?”

In particular, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked the number of medals earned by the Dinamo Minsk FC at the national championship this year.

“Fourth,” the Minister replied.

“Which medals?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked again.

“Wooden…”

“None,” the President added. “Wooden medals ... I will draw wooden medals for you without money. You are responsible for this team. I instructed you to deal with this issue and gave you money, but you’re talking about sanctions. As far as I understand it in sports, if you are pressed, then the return will be even more powerful. If people see that they are being unfairly punished, they strive and show even greater results. Do we have it? We don’t have it.”

photos: www.belta.by

The President stated that the worst results are seen in those sports that are given more attention, “How can it be so? I would like to hear explanations. The national stadium will appear soon. Who will play there? I would like to hear the answer to this set of questions, because it is related to the second question [referring to the submission to the President of the draft decree On Measures to Stimulate the Achievement of High Sports Results].”

“You came to me for salaries and incentives for athletes. It is necessary to hold such a meeting secretly, somewhere in a dark corner, so that people would not hear us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko again noted with irony. “If they do, not only you will face harsh criticism (at least you deserve it), but also I will. They will ask what for are you paying athletes and coaches money. They walk idly in football, hockey, speed skating, short track… They not only walk idly; they almost fall there. So, I want to hear what you have to offer.”

The Head of State recalled that a lot has been done in the country for the development of sports, “From early childhood, we give everyone the opportunity to rise, to determine the possibilities and abilities of children. You are welcome to decide whether it is artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, athletics. The coaches see someone, take note, and the development is underway. What else is needed? Is it necessary to pay for good high results? Then how much? But first give these results. I would like you to name me here the government’s concept of stimulating wages and other bonuses for achieving relevant results.”