Basketball’s rise in the PotAS rankings has sparked controversy, particularly from DBB President Ingo Weiss, who criticizes the analysis system. Established to optimize funding based on sports potential, the PotAS framework faces scrutiny over its effectiveness and accuracy. Despite significant state funding, concerns remain regarding medal outcomes, as exemplified by the disappointing results of the German Athletics Association. Weiss advocates for abolishing PotAS, while the commission plans to refine its evaluation criteria moving forward.
Basketball’s Rise in PotAS Rankings Sparks Controversy
In the latest PotAS rankings, basketball has made a notable advancement, moving up from its previous position at the bottom. However, this improvement has not satisfied DBB President Ingo Weiss, who is calling for an end to the ongoing potential analysis.
The initiative to promote Olympic sports based on success and potential began in 2016, with the intention of increasing government funding for sports with promising medal prospects while reducing support for those deemed less likely to succeed.
Analysis and Critique of the PotAS System
The PotAS system, along with a dedicated commission, was established to assess sports disciplines. This commission recently unveiled its second report for summer sports in Berlin, which faced significant criticism even before its release.
For those questioning the efficiency of Germany’s elite sports funding, the introduction of a new agency raises concerns primarily about its financial implications.
According to the German Press Agency (dpa), dressage tops the list of 99 discipline groups, followed by the men’s hockey and kayaking teams. In stark contrast, Taekwondo ranks last, positioned below weightlifting and water polo, with assessments based on past achievements, squad strength, and organizational structure.
Despite the substantial funds allocated to elite sports by the state, the justification for these expenditures remains questionable, prompting a dialogue between sports and political leaders regarding the sensitive issue of funding distribution.
The initial PotAS report on summer sports in 2021 ignited discussions due to its inaccurate forecasts, notably the German Athletics Association (DLV), which returned empty-handed from the 2023 World Championships after being highly rated.
In the previous rankings, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) found itself at the bottom, viewed as having the least potential. This was followed by unexpected successes in basketball, including a World Championship title in 2023 and an Olympic victory for the women’s 3×3 basketball team in Paris 2024.
In response to these developments, the PotAS commission adjusted its evaluation criteria. The latest report places the women’s 3×3 team in ninth place and the men’s team in fifteenth. Weiss, a vocal opponent of the PotAS system, expressed his frustration, questioning why the DBB, despite its success, was ranked so low.
Urs Granacher, the chairman of the PotAS commission, expressed bewilderment at Weiss’s criticism. He remarked that it seems disrespectful to compare the achievements of the men’s basketball team with those of other disciplines that have consistently delivered success for Germany.
Weiss has called for the abolition of the analysis system altogether, stating, “PotAS is not beneficial for German sports. It doesn’t require revision; it should simply be eliminated.” He criticized the association structure analysis as inadequate for the sport, emphasizing that the DBB’s unique system of athlete representation has contributed significantly to its success.
The PotAS commission has announced plans to discontinue structural analysis in order to refine the focus of its evaluations on potential and success alone. Granacher explained that while some weaknesses persist, further scrutiny would yield diminishing returns given the costs involved.
Although PotAS results influence state funding for top associations, their impact is less significant than initially anticipated. The Federal Court of Justice highlighted concerns over the inclusion of subjective association-specific forecasts in funding decisions, which are ultimately determined by a commission comprised of representatives from the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).
Despite increased financial investments in elite sports by the BMI, the expected rise in medal counts at the Olympic Summer Games has not materialized, with PotAS failing to initiate a turnaround. For 2024, the BMI has allocated €780,000 for PotAS commission expenses, along with additional administrative efforts required from top associations to gather and submit necessary data.