FBiH Government Violates Its Own Decrees Again: Tuka Gets 5,000 for World Success, FK Sarajevo 15,000

Although Fadil Novalić, Prime Minister of FBiH, and other ministers in the FBiH Government believe that their illegal decisions pass easily and without much public attention, they should know that many associations, the non-governmental sector, and media closely follow their moves, and the time for 'settling accounts' for all questionable decisions will surely come, writes the Patria News Agency.

Thus, the Association of Citizens, Shareholders, and Stakeholders in Companies and Investment Funds in BiH (UGDAU DIG U BIH) is monitoring the situation and pointing out irregularities.

A letter from this association addressed to Fadil Novalić, Minister of Culture and Sports Zora Dujmović, and General Director of JP Elektroprivreda HZ HB Mostar Marinko Gilja exposes the actions of this trio. After the illegal and scandalous allocation of funds for cultural events and institutions, Dujmović has shown that she will not respect legal regulations in sports either.

Considering that the work of the FBiH Government and the management of many Public Enterprises are being monitored, we did so on December 23, 2015, and March 23, 2016. Why are these two dates important?

At the 35th session of the FBiH Government held on December 23, 2015, the 'Decision on awarding FK Sarajevo for winning the championship title of Bosnia and Herzegovina in football in the BH Telecom Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the senior category for the 2014/2015 season was made, and a monetary award in the amount of 15,000 KM is awarded.'

This decision was made at the proposal of the Minister of Culture and Sports Dujmović (HDZ), based on the 'Decree on determining the criteria for awarding prizes to athletes, sports workers, and sports associations from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for outstanding sports results achieved in international competitions.'

What connection does the BH Telecom Premier League of BiH have with international competitions, and why is the Decree being applied, which stipulates that: 'Awards are given to national teams, athletes, sports associations, sports workers, coaches, or trainers, for medals won at international sports competitions in Olympic and Paralympic sports.'?

It's 'chilling' to see that Minister Zora Dujmović equates the BH Telecom Premier League of BiH with international competitions, even though FK Sarajevo is not entitled to any award according to the aforementioned Decree. At the same session of the Government, at the minister's proposal, the best BiH athlete Amel Tuka, who is entitled to an award according to the Decree for international results in the 800-meter race, receives only 5,000 KM.

An old proverb says: 'The frog saw the horses being shod and raised its leg too.' And on March 23, 2016, as announced, Marinko Gilja gave FK Zrinjski 200,000 KM, and he doesn't even want to hear about Široki Brijeg, confirming this proverb. Gilja likely acted in consultation with his party colleague Dujmović, observing her actions.

Such a decision by Gilja shows that the idea of 'unified Mostar' is far from being realized, and Gilja will have to explain why NK Široki Brijeg was skipped in the distribution of funds.

According to some media reports from individuals close to the management of the Široki Brijeg premier league team, Gilja constantly justifies himself by saying that the party leadership (HDZ BiH) does not allow any funds to be transferred to the club from Široki Brijeg. In other words, this confirms the increasingly frequent rumors that politics in Herzegovina, after FK Velež, wants to 'ground' NK Široki Brijeg as much as possible, thereby appropriating all important potential sponsors in Herzegovina for HŠK Zrinjski, which the leading Croatian party has been sponsoring for years, while on the other hand, they spare no means to destroy Velež and NK Široki Brijeg, which, realistically speaking, is the only club in the country that operates professionally and owes no one a single mark.

As stated by UGDAU DIF U BIH, they hope that this Government will still correct its mistake during its term or pass a Decree by which this distribution of funds will be legal and fair.