The issue of future funding for Scottish sport drags on, seemingly interminably.

 

Sportscotland said at the end of Glasgow 2014 that they would conduct a review in October. Details were expected - optimistically, perhaps - soon after. But in October, before some sports had even met the quango, they said the investment review would now not be completed until "early next year".

We approached sportscotland yesterday to be told it would be February before 25 their management board would look at recommendations, and early March before any likely public announcement.

Governing bodies will shortly meet sportscotland, to learn proposed new funding levels. These depend on the Scottish Government.

Governing bodies, who fear the worst, will then have a window for appeal during which the quango will make no public statement. The message is clear: toe the line.

Making the right decision is more important than making a quick one, but a seven-month wait to discover post-Games resources seems hardly the optimum way to plan sport's future. Particularly when attempting to capitalise on legacy benefits and more especially with sports obliged to fall in line with new financial practices imposed by sportscotland, necessitating a form of bridging finance for some.

A sportscotland spokesman said yesterday that initial discussions with governing bodies "have been completed. There is an appeal process for individual sports which they may or may not choose to exercise".

He is unaware of any, but pending resolution of any such appeals, final recommendations will go before their board at the end of February.

"These things take time. A number of sports are involved in the process and discussions. We wanted it to be as comprehensive as possible, to fully explain our reasoning and allow sports to express themselves in detail."

We have argued that team sports (rugby sevens, netball, hockey and cricket) in which Scotland have never played in a match which could have resulted in a medal, cannot continue to justify current funding. Sportscotland have invested some £10m in hockey, netball, and sevens since 2007. If funding is result-dependent, then theirs should be slashed. Especially if resources for successful sports are threatened.

Judo is a potential minefield. With just 14 athletes and 13 medals (six gold, one silver and five bronze) in Glasgow, they were the sensation of the Games, from total investment of £2,587,200 over four years. This was the best financial return for investment in any sport. But judo is not on the 2018 programme, sparking concerns about sustaining current levels. Sports outwith the Commonwealth Games have traditionally had less support.

"Performance and results are taken on board when assessing the impact of success or otherwise," sportscotland insist. "Without judo on the 2018 programme it will be difficult to make up for their incredible success in Glasgow. We are looking at the development of sports, performance and governance. The performance element - they have excelled. They exceeded expectation with their remarkable success. Governance is in a healthy position.

"They will be involved in the Rio Olympics and Paralympics. There are a number of Scots vying for selection for that. There are several considerations, not just the Commonwealth Games."

Are Judo Scotland reasssured? Douglas Bryce, their chief executive, expressed "cautious optimism". He added: "We'd love to be in 2018. The Games are an important development tool for us."

Is there cause for alarm, given that only seven of the 14 who fought in Glasgow are still competing? "A further two are coaching, and we still have athletes resident in Scotland, training every day in Scotland, and travelling and getting ranking points for Rio. Some have realistic medal aspirations," he said.

"We were not in the Commonwealths between 2002 and 2014 and it did not affect our investment then. It actually increased. We presented sportscotland with our plan from 2015 to 2020. It was a pretty positive meeting."

Judo's funding year matches their business year (January 1 to December 31). "But along with other sports, that's been realigned to sportscotland's. We took guidance from auditors and accountants who said there was no need for us to change. We have kept our own financial year, though additional calculations have to be done.

"Traditionally we'd be advised on funding before Christmas. So by March, I'd be wanting our first tranche of money very very quickly, thank you. Otherwise, as in any other business, we'd have to look at what we begin to cut back on. To be fair, we have had a contribution for the current three months. Athletes are not having to cut back.

"We'd like to know our investment as soon as we can. Rather than a reward, we look on it as investment in what we want to do going forward, rather than looking back - 2014 is over. The Rio Olympics in 2016, and Tokyo in 2020 -that's where we want to go."

It's where all Scottish sport should be looking now, but much will depend on review outcomes. I worry about pressure on governing bodies. Will they dare articulate concerns before the February meeting?

One sure area of contention will be the impact of the withdrawal of sportscotland Athlete Personal Awards. Worth in excess of £1m, SAPAs went to well over 100 athletes of perceived podium potential - many in under-performing team sports - on the run-in to Glasgow, but they ended with the Games.

When governing bodies look at the bottom line compared to last year, there will be a hole. SAPA will no longer be part of the funding equation. Governing bodies then face trying to replace this as they plan ahead for the 2018 games in Gold Coast.