Lukashenko Is Killing Belarusian Sport

• 18.09.2025, 15:23

Athletes could be left without sponsors.

Lukashenko adopted a new decree "On providing support to sports organizations".

According to it, sports federations can receive subsidies from the republican budget, and clubs for game and non-game sports - from local budgets.

At the same time, tax exemptions on real estate, land tax and income tax for sponsors who decide to support athletes are abolished, noted "Euroradio".

The government will regulate the amount of subsidies, aggregate support from state organizations in the form of sponsorship, advertising and other support, as well as the salaries of heads of federations, athletes, coaches and other specialists.

The government will also determine the procedure for issuing and the amount of prize money at the end of the sports season. The Ministry of Sport will control how federations and clubs use support funds from state organizations.

The decree does not limit the ability of clubs to independently dispose of earned money and sponsorship received from private organizations. But will there be many sponsors left if private firms cannot get tax benefits?