2026-01-07
The National Audit Office submitted its comments to the Seimas Committee on Education and Science and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport regarding the planned reform of the sports system, changing the model of sports management and financing, and transforming the National Sports Agency into the National Sports Council, which would be responsible for implementing the state's sports policy.
Under the proposed model, decisions on the allocation of state budget funds would be made by representatives of non-governmental sports organizations working on a voluntary basis. According to the National Audit Office, this model has already been criticized in previous audits for insufficiently clear responsibilities and risks of conflicts of interest.
Back in 2013, a financial (regularity) audit of the Department of Physical Education and Sports found that decisions on the allocation of budget funds should be made by civil servants whose responsibilities are clearly regulated by law, and potential conflicts of interest should be properly managed.
"Sports funding must reach athletes and children who engage in sports. Currently, proposals for funding are submitted to the head of the National Sports Agency by a commission composed of civil servants who are personally accountable for this under the law. Therefore, in our opinion, the proposed new model would be a step backward that could undermine the transparency we have worked so hard to achieve over the years. Returning to a model that has already been criticized for its risk of conflicts of interest is a dangerous experiment and poses risks to the efficient use of state budget funds," says Auditor General Irena Segalovičienė.
The National Audit Office draws attention to the timing of the planned reform. The Law on the National Sports Council should enter into force on 1 July 2026, and the first elections of the council members should be organised no later than 1 June 2026. In the opinion of the National Audit Office, this may complicate preparations for the proper administration of sports support programs. It is also worth noting that the newly formed council, when reviewing projects that are already being funded, may decide not to continue them without analysing the efficiency of the use of the allocated funds.
The National Audit Office urges lawmakers to evaluate the comments submitted and ensure that the sports policy management and financing model complies with the principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.