The Swedish Sports Federation (RF) is raising serious concerns that current government funding falls far short of what is needed to renovate and modernize the country’s aging sports facilities, according to a report by TV4.
RF estimates that nearly half of Sweden’s sports venues are in need of significant renovation. This growing infrastructure problem is already having real consequences. A recent survey revealed that one in four sports associations has been forced to turn away new members simply because there isn’t enough space or adequate facilities to accommodate them.
Anna Iwarsson, chairwoman of RF, warned that the situation is becoming increasingly critical. She подчеркed that limiting access to sports and physical activity is especially troubling at a time when Sweden is facing rising levels of inactivity and related health issues among the population. According to her, failing to invest properly in sports infrastructure risks worsening these societal challenges.
At the start of the year, RF was allocated 240 million Swedish kronor for new construction and renovation projects. However, the demand has already far exceeded that amount. Applications submitted to RF have reached approximately 360 million kronor, highlighting a substantial funding gap and the urgent need for additional resources.
Iwarsson argues that this mismatch clearly demonstrates how underfunded the sector currently is. She is calling on the government to significantly increase its support, proposing that RF should receive at least 600 million kronor annually to adequately address construction and renovation needs across the country.
Without stronger financial backing, RF fears that more facilities will continue to deteriorate, participation in sports could decline, and the broader public health impact may become even more severe in the years ahead.
