The government’s policy to provide free-swimming to those under 15, was seen as a controversial use of public funds when the scheme was put in place in 2007 by the one-year Union Party administration. But the manager of one of the country’s top football teams has now gone further to criticise the ‘Free Swim’ programme. The outburst by Egor Bartrev was directed at sports minister Ruslan Cherstvennikov, who when questioned said he would consider extending the scheme. Bartrev said the minister needed to recognise the ‘hard-work that communities put into other sports – more, worthwhile sports.’
The government was not available to respond.
