Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 30 May (BelTA) – A shortage of qualified personnel remains one of the major issues in the sport industry in Belarus, First Deputy Head of the President’s Administration Maksim Ryzhenkov said at the Olympic meeting on 30 May.

According to Maksim Ryzhenkov, sport remains one of the main ideological parts of the state policy. The sport vertical, however, cannot make it work. Belarus’ successful performance at the Sochi Games was spoilt by a total failure at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. Today’s sport results are a source of disappointment in the society. “Considerable faults in the work of the Sports Ministry should be acknowledged. A shortage of qualified personnel remains one of the biggest problems in sport. After a major reshuffle in 2012-2013 the industry lost a lot of qualified staff. This gap has never been filled. The Belarusian State University of Physical Education lost the status of a leading university due to the use of outdated technologies and a low level of the coaching staff. It even came to a point that some university departments took to the forefront in the sport science,” said Maksim Ryzhenkov.

The first deputy head of the President’s Administration demanded to enhance the efficiency of work with fans, promote a feeling of patriotism among young athletes. There is a need for a high quality and wide coverage of the Belarusian sport, and not only on Belarus Five. According to Maksim Ryzhenkov, not all children’s coaches take a professional approach to what they do. “There is no control from the Sports Ministry and local authorities. The training process in sports schools, a clear-cut calendar, availability of equipment – all these issues require special attention,” he stressed.

Maksim Ryzhenkov also commented on the problem of medical, pharmacological and scientific support and athletes’ health recovery. “There is no doubt that a scientific and medical center is important in sport. All scientific and medical institutions of the country should be connected with the sport industry and each address particular tasks. The whole system is state-run after all,” noted the first deputy head of the President’s Administration.

According to Maksim Ryzhenkov, one should have a clear understand of what the Belarusian sport is, how much it costs and what role it plays in the society.