In a new poll, about one in four sports teams said they have trouble paying their electricity bills. “Dark reading,” says the president of the sport.
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One in five are also afraid of having to close sports facilities. And 28% report that sports activities are already affected.
The Norwegian Sports Confederation (NIF) is conducting the survey, to which 919 sports teams have responded so far.
This fall, the NIF put significant pressure on the authorities to get a better electricity package.
– As many as 27% of sports teams in Norway that responded to the survey say they have problems paying their electricity bills. If this percentage is representative of all sports teams in Norway, this will add up to over 2,500 sports teams in total. It confirms that sport is in a very serious situation in our country, says sports president Berit Kjøll.
In a letter to the Ministry of Culture and Equality, he explains why he believes the figures are “bleak reading”, as he expressed it to VG.
- 27% of sports teams have problems paying their electricity bills in the current situation.
- Only half have obtained deferral of payment – among those who have requested it.
- 34% want compensation to be claimed for each month. NIF assumes that these are the teams that have the greatest expense and / or difficulty in paying their bills.
- 28 percent of sports teams say the increase in spending goes beyond activity.
- 32% of sports teams declare that the expenses have or will lead to an increase in membership fees and / or activities.
- 21% of sports teams fear that the facilities should be closed.
– Every day we hear about sports teams that are considering reducing the supply for children, young people and adults, says Kjøll.
– We are still working on the mapping of sports teams, and what the consequences of a possible closure will be. What we’re really worried about is when winter will really come and what kind of consequences it will have, he adds.
– What do you think about the fact that the majority, over 70 percent, are doing well? Do these really need a better power supply?
– We are currently analyzing the survey results. Without having all the facts on the table, I believe this is due to two factors. We have sent the survey to all sports teams in the country and electricity prices are high only in parts of the country and most sports teams operate in municipal facilities. These feel the high prices of electricity to a lesser extent.
The Norwegian Sports Confederation has therefore carried out the survey on its own, and wants to bring out the seriousness of the sports teams that struggle in autumn and winter.
The overwhelming majority – 73 percent of sports teams – have no problem paying their electricity bills today. With these, the business is not affected.
The Ministry of Culture says it received the letter from the Norwegian Sports Confederation on Friday evening. They will take a closer look at it before commenting on the wishes of the sport.
