Macedonia does not have sufficient public funds to finance every sport, Sports Minister Borko Ristovski said in an interview with Sloboden Pečat, outlining changes to state funding, investigations into financial irregularities and plans to improve sports infrastructure across the country.
Ristovski said the government has replaced the previous sports voucher system with direct financial support for clubs and federations, with competitive results serving as the main criterion for allocating public funds.
He acknowledged that smaller clubs and individual sports face financial challenges but stressed that sports organizations must also secure sponsorships and other sources of income.
Financial Irregularities and New Funding Rules
During the interview, Ristovski revealed that audits had identified cases in which sports clubs and federations improperly spent public funds.
Organizations responsible for minor violations received warnings, while those involved in more serious irregularities could face financial penalties and be required to return the money to the state budget.
According to the minister, the Financial Police and Public Revenue Office are already investigating the most serious cases.
Ristovski also defended the decision to abolish the previous sports voucher system, arguing that it created opportunities for misuse and failed to deliver all available funding to sports organizations.
He said no more than 70% of the available voucher funds had been utilized because clubs and federations needed to find companies willing to participate in the system.
Under the new model, public funds are transferred directly to sports organizations according to predetermined criteria.
The minister emphasized that competitive achievements would determine how much financial support each sport receives.
He also suggested that the government should cover approximately 90% of the financing needs of national sports federations, while clubs should seek additional support from private sponsors.
New Sports Facilities and Investment Plans
Ristovski acknowledged longstanding problems with Macedonia’s sports infrastructure and outlined several renovation and construction projects.
He highlighted improvements to sports halls in Skopje and Novo Selo, the construction of an athletics track in Veles and work on a new sports hall at the Military Academy in Skopje’s Aerodrom municipality.
Additional plans include renovating a sports hall in Delčevo, completing the Olympic swimming pool in Ohrid and developing a sports complex in Gazi Baba, with construction expected to begin in 2028.
The minister also addressed the delayed renovation of the Makedonija sports hall in Prilep, explaining that administrative obstacles and a concession agreement had prevented the project from moving forward.
According to Ristovski, an agreement has now been reached to terminate the concession, with a public tender for reconstruction expected before the end of 2026.
Another proposal involves building a sports training center in Kruševo, allowing Macedonian clubs and national teams to prepare for competitions without traveling abroad.
Ristovski estimated that approximately €1 million is spent outside Macedonia on training camps organized by domestic sports organizations.
He said future infrastructure investments would depend on the country’s financial resources and its capacity to implement the planned projects.
The minister also addressed his relationship with Macedonian Olympic Committee President Daniel Dimevski, describing their communication as limited to professional courtesy.
