"Saving lives and protecting the health of our citizens remains the main priority in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many aspects of our society and has had a tremendous impact on the sports sector as well," Druzak underlined at the start of the video conference, attended by EU ministers of sports who exchanged information, experiences, ideas and recommendations that could help in finding a common solution and easing the negative consequences of the pandemic.
"There is a lot of work ahead of us to protect sports and preserve its power to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our citizens and the development of our society in the current situation but also in the period after the pandemic. Nevertheless, I am certain that the sports sector will come out stronger than ever," Druzak underscored.
The ministers discussed various measures that have been introduced in member states, highlighting that the current situation significantly impacts the functioning of sports federations and that huge economic losses have occurred because most sports events have been cancelled. They underscored the fact that all sports activities at the local level have been cancelled, too, as have all regular activities by small clubs and organisations.
It was emphasised that in order to relieve the heavy financial consequences it is necessary to exploit every opportunity to reallocate existing and planned funds at the national level but also consider the possibility of using EU funds and treating sports as an important segment of regional development. Special emphasis was placed on the need to ensure continued training for athletes as well as encourage citizens to increase their physical activities while at the same time ensuring their safety and preventing the virus from spreading.
The European Commission has described the outbreak of COVID-19 as an extraordinary circumstance. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel has expressed her willingness to support efforts by member states to assist sports in the current crisis and to help in their revival after the crisis.