Meeting Held: How to Resolve Debts of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Representatives of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a meeting to consider possibilities for resolving the accumulated debts that the B&H Basketball Federation has towards the Indirect Taxation Authority and the Tax Administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The total debt amounts to 2.4 million BAM, and the Federation faces complete collapse.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the primary goal was to resolve the VAT debt, followed by institutional investment in basketball and sports, as well as cooperation with companies.

The resigning Secretary General, Dubravko Barbarić, stated that an important step had been taken for the survival of B&H basketball.

- We have significantly eased the situation regarding tax administrations, and that is the most important thing. My personal goal has also been achieved, so I can now calmly complete my resignation. I believe this will also ease future relations in B&H basketball – Barbarić said.

The debt to the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including interest, amounts to 700,000 BAM.

- In the past year, we have proven that we can handle existing debts. On the other hand, we could not handle debts that arose as a result of the investigation by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which identified debts of over 1,200,000 BAM. I sincerely hope that someone will be held accountable for those debts – Barbarić said.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina also called on other competent institutions to get involved in resolving the debts of the B&H Basketball Federation. A particular problem is the debt to the Tax Administration of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is not under the jurisdiction of the state level.

- It is the responsibility of all institutions covering the field of sports, including entity and cantonal ministries, to become more adequately and strongly involved in terms of financial support. Basketball is a very important sport, which is why we accepted the role of mediator to achieve something. As far as I can see, people left more or less satisfied. I believe this is not D-Day, and there is time to resolve the issues in a timely manner – said Suvad Džafić, Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs.

The Council of Ministers will be informed about the situation in the B&H Basketball Federation, along with a proposed conclusion, given that the Ministry does not have the financial capacity to resolve these debts.

Incidentally, the meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Elmedin Konaković, and the Minister of Culture and Sports, Mirvad Kurić.