Fernando Tavares, a former vice president for modalities at Portuguese football club Benfica, has publicly urged the club to drastically reshape its investment strategy in non-indoor athletics. He advocates for a sharp focus on elite athletes, arguing it would alleviate financial pressure and enhance media appeal.
Tavares, who previously oversaw the club’s various sports, proposed a “more surgical and responsible investment” that prioritizes “quality over quantity.” He specifically suggested reducing funding for collective track teams.
Their scope, he argued, should be limited to Olympic and pre-Olympic development projects. This move, he believes, would free up resources for indoor sports, particularly women’s teams, which he identified as deserving of primary investment.
The former official shared these reflections on LinkedIn, framing his comments as “an invitation to reflection” rather than a criticism.
He cited Benfica’s recent success in cross country, including a five-time national championship in long cross country and a two-time championship in the mixed relay, as evidence that an elite focus can yield results.
Tavares criticized current collective track competitions in Portugal as “uninteresting, little media-covered, and poorly organized.” He also noted that the recent removal of the European Champions Clubs’ Cup from official competitions further diminished the appeal of track events.
He acknowledged the paradox that internationally, track and field enjoys significant competitive expression at events like the Olympics and World Championships. These events successfully attract audiences, television broadcasts, and sponsors abroad, “unlike Portugal,” he added.
Tavares reiterated that his current stance aligns with positions he held during his tenure as a board member responsible for the modality. He said the club’s board, however, had historically maintained an “eclectic ideals” approach, which led them to pursue a different path during his time.
He believes focusing on elite athletes would contribute to “one of the noblest sporting ideals” and attract sponsorships. His primary concern is that the club’s current dispersed investment strategy creates “budgetary stress” on indoor modalities.