Massive Reform needed

ROBERTSON URGES GOVERNMENT TO REFORM BRITISH SPORT

Hugh Robertson, the Conservative Sports Minister, yesterday called on the government to reform sport in this country. Speaking in a Westminster debate on elite sport he focused primarily on two issues; the development of a single funding stream for sport and an increase in exchequer funding for sport.

Hugh called for a reorganisation of the structure of sport in this country which was described by the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport as “a nightmare” only a year ago. An advocate of a single body for the organisation and funding stream for sport, Hugh pressed the Minister, Richard Caborn MP, about whether he believed that the structure of sport is fit to deliver in 2012, or indeed, 2008?

On Exchequer funding, Hugh asked the Minister what discussions he has had with the Treasury over the funding package necessary to deliver on the considerable promises made during the London 2012 bid process, not just for the London 2012 Olympics but across sport.

Hugh said: “London 2012 has changed the whole map of sport, particularly elite sports and already expectations are enormous. Sports bodies outside the Olympic movement are already slightly agitated that the funding will be concentrated on the London 2012 Olympics and that they will lose out.

“I wanted assurance from the government that they would do everything necessary to deliver on the promises made during the bid process. Seven years seems a long time at the moment but the reality is that it will be a considerable challenge to deliver the success in elite sports that this country requires over that period. I hope that the decision in Singapore marks a watershed in the relationship between Government and sport. The difficult thing will be to deliver it.”