Tonight:
4°c
Handball could get the elbow over £79m shortfall
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent21 Oct 2008
HANDBALL is in danger of being cut from Britain's 2012 Olympic plans because of a £79 million shortfall in funding for athletes.
The move would sink the host nation's stated aim of being represented in each of the 26 sports categories at the London Olympics.
The 30-strong British handball squad is currently training in Denmark.
Funding body UK Sport has pumped £3 million into British handball - which has never had an Olympic team - over the last four years in the hope of entering men's and women's sides in 2012 that would automatically qualify as hosts. But it is thought that the sport is one of the most likely to be cut from the government-backed "World Class Pathway" programme if the funding shortfall is not solved by December.
The sport is considered vulnerable for two reasons: it is unlikely to produce a medal in 2012 and as a team sport it is more expensive to fund than for individual athletes.
A spokesman for British Handball said: "It would be a huge blow if the money was cut and it could be the end of the road for the players who have given up jobs or studies to chase this dream."
It is thought similar uncertainty faces British teams in wrestling, volleyball and table tennis. Judo and weight-lifting performed poorly in Beijing.
The funding shortfall has arisen because ministers have been unable to find all of the £100 million that the Government hoped to raise from the private sector.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has not given up hope of raising the money.
Reader views (2)
Let's all hope that this prospect doesn't become a reality.
The countries' commitment to making 2012 a success is only seconded by the commitment of our athletes - the exact athletes this article refers to - the exact athletes who have pinned their hopes and dreams on achieving something most of us cannot even fathom. Would you want to let go of that dream as the result of a monumental failure on the governing bodies' part?
Consider for a moment you were in the shoes of one our countries hopefuls out in Aarhus. The hype and expectations for the up and coming games are unprecedented with any other sporting event in the history of our Great country. They have put their lives (friends/families/careers) on hold, inspired by the Olympic dream and everything else that comes with it. To shatter their dreams is damn right unfair.
Funding must be found. Companies must back it. Oil, Gas, Telecom. Target the right areas, explain what's at stake. Every other big nation on the planet finds a way, we just give it lip service.
- Robbie Priddle, Cardiff, Wales., 23/10/2008 19:20
Report abuse
It would be a tragedy if the handball programme were cut.
Handball has been specifically cited by the BOA as a shining example of a preparation programme, and an example to other Olympic sports. What chance do developing sports have if they get risk getting cut even when their programmes are better than other sports?
- Paul Mcdermott, Birkenhead, Merseyside., 23/10/2008 18:20
Report abuse
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent, on Twitter
