Here, sports journalists asked me to comment on the allocation/splitting of budget funds for sports in 2024-25.

I attribute such an inquiry to the fact that at one time, as the vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, I was CATEGORICALLY against BUDGET funding for a large number of sports solely because the federations of these sports are headed by "IMPORTANT PEOPLE." Furthermore, I convincingly argued that the budget of a peaceful yet impoverished country should only finance those PRIORITY sports that are traditional for our states, meaning popular, having a network of sports schools and clubs, a proper coaching staff, and achievements on the international stage.

When it comes to the SURVIVAL of our poor and war-torn Ukraine, the principles of PRIORITY and ECONOMY must unequivocally become Determining.

Now, let's see what we have.

Starting with Olympic sports, where, to put it mildly, in traditional sports for Ukraine, the horse, or rather the Olympic medal, has long ceased to be found. So, during the war, sports officials decided to follow the trend and included NEW TYPES of sports (which I first heard about from funding tables) in state funding.

The officials decided to allocate 3.2 million hryvnias (a total of 6.4 million UAH) for the super popular in war-torn Ukraine… FLAG FOOTBALL and LACROSSE. In brief, these are varieties of American and Canadian football, prevalent in some states of the USA and Canadian universities.

Funding for GOLF has significantly decreased from 5 million to 700 thousand UAH. But just imagine that in 2024, when there wasn't enough money for military salaries, golfers received 5 million. For context, this sport is primarily pursued by wealthy retirees and is probably very relevant for war-torn Ukraine!

It turns out that during the war, Ukrainians have started to take up Curling en masse. In the 2025 budget, 9.6 million hryvnias were allocated for it (in 2024, it was 3.2 million UAH).

To avoid overwhelming you with millions for other sports, which are pursued by several hundred athletes in Ukraine, or rather abroad.

During the WAR, we should financially support only those sports that can represent UKRAINE with dignity at international forums, rather than using budget funds to travel abroad and stay there!

I will also mention another unpopular point - BUSINESS in sports, particularly in football. When I read daily about the sale of our football players for millions of dollars, about the latest cars of footballers' wives, and the million-dollar salaries of UAF officials, who are already residents of other countries, I do not understand why they need almost 40 million budget hryvnias in 2025 (in 2024, 71.1 million was allocated)?!

Now a few words about non-Olympic SPORTS.

To begin with, I note that the rapid development of non-Olympic sports has a distinct pragmatic basis. We are talking about types of sports that are prevalent in only a few dozen countries and in which it is much easier to win medals and then receive titles and awards in Ukraine.

Therefore, to support the Chinese version of dragon boat racing, 14.1 million hryvnias were allocated in 2024, but only 4 million was earmarked for 2025. For the national Japanese wrestling Sumo - 15 million hryvnias, while last year it was 9.9 million. Overall, the funding for various wrestling types will shock you. This includes GRAPPLING - 41.6 million, MUAY THAI - 20 million, WUSHU - 12 million, and JIU-JITSU - 10.1 million…

Military commanders only dream of having such athletes as instructors in military training centers, but our officials decided to send them abroad for international competitions at the expense of the budget.

Overall conclusion.

To ensure you do not get the impression that I am against funding sports. On the contrary, I have fought and continue to argue that the lion's share of funds should be directed towards children's (free) sports and popular, traditional, and competitive sports that can represent and glorify UKRAINE with DIGNITY.

As for all sorts of lacrosse, flag football, golf…, I SUPPORT their development in Ukraine, but through sponsorship funds, not taxpayer money.

P.S. However, I did not find any funding for the All-Ukrainian Domino Federation. Probably, after the death of its head Kiva, they lost access to power offices.