Baković on problems in sport: Funding at an unsatisfactory level

The Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the initiator of the conference titled „Financial and organizational problems of sports clubs – how to prevent the extinction of sports in BiH“, which will be held on December 7 at the „Terme“ hotel in Ilidža. On that occasion, the Secretary General of the FA BiH, Jasmin Baković, answered some of the questions that arise when it comes to sports and current problems, Patria reports.

Sports in BiH today face numerous problems, yet we can single out financial and organizational ones as the most pressing. Why is that so?

Baković: The reasons are multiple. First of all, one must consider the fact that we live in an economically underdeveloped country, burdened with financial problems in all segments of social activity. Because of this, investment in sports development is at an unsatisfactory level, far below real needs. Also, the legal status of sports organizations is questionable. As citizens' associations, in the legal sense, they have identical rights and obligations as other associations of any type, and such a form of organization is inadequate for many. Furthermore, it is a fact that many legal solutions related to the financial obligations of sports associations are insufficiently precise and leave room for flexible interpretation by the authorities. One should not forget that there are different legal solutions depending on the entity affiliation. A special issue is the organization of sports collectives, including professional associations and clubs. Many of them lack the necessary human and material resources for quality functioning, and changes in management are very frequent, so there is no continuity, which is very important for any collective”.

What specifically has the FA BiH done to help clubs competing in competitions run and organized by the FA BiH?

Baković: First of all, through appropriate activities in the last few years, the Association has eased the financial operations of clubs in the first level of competition it directly manages. By sponsoring the league and abolishing participation fees for the competition, clubs have achieved significant savings. Furthermore, we helped Premier League clubs by implementing specific infrastructure projects, aimed at creating more favorable conditions for playing matches and training. One should not overlook the fact that at one point, through intervention with the competent tax authorities, we enabled certain clubs to overcome problems and avoid possible blockades of their operations, i.e., functioning”.

What can we expect from this conference?

Baković: The conference certainly cannot solve all the problems of clubs or professional associations, but it can be the beginning of solving all open issues and finding ways and modalities that will provide sports collectives with a more secure status and certain relief in the context of fulfilling legal obligations, and thus a more certain future. One should bear in mind that national teams and the most successful clubs represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in international competitions and are sports ambassadors who promote our country. Therefore, they deserve maximum support and understanding from the competent institutions”.

Does the FA BiH plan to organize conferences with similar topics in the coming year?

Baković: The FA BiH initiated the organization of the first conference of this kind, believing that it is high time for action. We will not stop there. We are moving forward; if we are persistent, we are sure that we can achieve concrete results that will prevent the stifling of sports and the extinction of sports collectives. Of course, we need the support of the Olympic Committee of BiH, which we already have, as well as the support of other sports associations, with whom we share similar problems. We believe that representatives of competent bodies at the state and entity levels will also show readiness for dialogue and determination to help solve accumulated problems through adequate legal solutions and other measures”.