Łukašenka gives sports officials dressing down over poor results

February 29, Pozirk. Belarus’ sports achievements are “rubbish” and do not reflect the government’s investment and care, Alaksandar Łukašenka said today as he gave sports officials, including his son, a dressing down.
He stressed that Belarusian athletes and teams should compete with Russians instead of complaining about bans from international competitions.
He said Russian athletes have been performing much better despite restrictions.
“The skiers were skiing slower; now they ski faster. [Ice] hockey there is proper ice hockey. They have superb soccer.
“Like I said, outplay Russians. Compete with them, come and report to me that you did better than the Russians in all sports. I don’t need anything else from you. The nation will be happy.”
The Belarusian ruler gave officials until the end of the quarter “to establish proper order” in sports.
He complained that the government finances soccer clubs, whereas “clubs should earn funds for their officials and other staff, or ask donors for funding,” he said.
Current performances by Belarusian athletes are “embarrassing” and “sometimes disgusting to watch,” he said.
“The people don’t need such sport,” he stressed. “No one will fund it from the budget.”
According to the Belarusian ruler’s press office, Deputy Prime Minister Ihar Pietryšenka, Sports Minister Siarhiej Kavalčuk, hockey coach Dźmitryj Baskaŭ as well as his son Viktar Łukašenka and Mikałaj Šarstnioŭ, chairmen of the National Olympic Committee and the Belarusian Soccer Federation, respectively, attended the meeting.
Both Belarusian and Russian athletes face sanctions following 2020 postelection protests and the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Belarus is banned from hosting international competitions, and its athletes cannot represent their country at major tournaments.
Some outstanding athletes have fled the country amid political reprisals.
- EconomyLibyan delegation in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUpper house approves fines for vegetable shortagesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Belarusians should be grateful to his government for staying out warThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyWoman killed by hit-and-run Belarusian in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFour more people recognized as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUpper house passes bill to ban “extremists” from educationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian universities to offer 1,000 tuition-free places for Russians this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- SocietyPoland seizes medical products from Belarus with Interpol involvementThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyKuźniacoŭ replaces Jafimaŭ as industry ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders label seven as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLukašenka appoints ambassadors to Africa, Middle East, Latin AmericaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsŁukašenka appoints more than a dozen local officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMPs vote to criminalize unauthorized possession of dronesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsPaźniak: Washington can pull Belarus away from RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityBelarus to open six new border outpostsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityLithuania detects irregular migration at Belarus border after days of calmThe material is available only to POZIRK+