UK Sport split over cuts - Telegraph.co.uk

UK Sport’s board met on Wednesday to finalise its decision on the matter but there was instead a second deferral until its next board meeting on March 23. It had been demanding that the Lawn Tennis Association bankrolls the sport, believing the richer federations can afford to fund related disability events.

That has put pressure on the Rugby Football Union to absorb the costs of running wheelchair rugby, for which it already provides some support.

A UK Sport spokesman said it would be “incorrect” to suggest the abstention of one its board members from two crucial votes represented a “split”.

He added: “The recommendations we put to our board follow months of work by the sports and the UK Sport executive to ensure that as a system we can fulfil our vision to inspire the nation through Olympic and Paralympic success whilst at the same time operating within a tight financial remit.

“These decisions are made all the more challenging with sports at the lower end of the meritocratic table. There is ultimately, and rightly, a lot of challenge and discussion.” 

UK Sport defended the increase in grant to the EIS, despite its remit now covering fewer sports, describing the expanded services it would provide as “crucial” to maintaining the success that took Britain from 36th place in the medal table at the 1996 Olympics to second last summer.