The development of sports policy in Slovakia

The article provides the first overview of the sports ecosystem and the development of sports policy in Slovakia. It reviews how sports policy has evolved across different periods and under varying political structures. The paper is organized around specific policy areas, linking the historical overview, major sports actors, and main strategic directions into a cohesive structure. In addition, major trends and challenges are discussed. The funding scheme will be elaborated thoroughly as it represents both a complex process and a contribution to the uniqueness of the sports ecosystem in Slovakia. The concluding remarks indicate a lack of coordination at the horizontal level within the public sector and in efforts to coordinate with the sub-national level in utilizing available resources for the development of sports in Slovakia.