The Scottish Minister for Sport has been accused of foul play over his attitude to the Highlands and Islands in the Sportscotland restructuring.
Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands MSP, says Stewart Maxwell’s confirmation that Sportscotland’s administrative hubs will be in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and Aberdeen shows a “total disregard” for the sportsmen and women in remote and rural areas.
While being questioned by the Health and Sport Committee on the structure of Sportscotland the Minister stated that it would be “illogical to have hubs in every part of the country”.
“He shows total disregard for the needs of the Highlands and Islands.
“He said that 5-10 people would be moved to Aberdeen to deal with the North and thereafter continued to refer to it as serving the North East,” said Mrs Grant, who is a member of the Committee.
“By centralising these hubs he has no regard to the challenges of encouraging sport in remote and rural areas.
“Some of our elite athletes have come from the Highlands and Islands and have succeeded due to their own dedication and determination.
“When the Government talks about reaching out to communities but refuses to move hubs into remoter areas it shows that they have no intention of doing it. Empty rhetoric is a trademark of this government,” she said.
Hopes of a cash injection for sport were short-lived.
The Minister told the committee that Sportscotland would be allowed to keep £6m from the sale of its Edinburgh Headquarters to spend on sport, but then confirmed that he is still looking for a balance of £3m towards the restructuring costs of £9m from either within Sportscotland or the Government more generally.
“This points to the proceeds of the sale being used to finance the re-structure and not being invested in sports delivery – again a headline grabbing claim that is hollow.
“Rather than a gift of £6m Sportscotland will need to take money from sport to fund the £3m shortfall,” said Mrs Grant.
