The top-tier Spanish water polo clubs —both men’s and women’s División de Honor— have issued a powerful joint statement expressing outrage at what they call “repeated breaches of commitment” by the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), Spain’s Higher Sports Council, the government body responsible for promoting and funding sport nationwide.
The CSD plays a critical role in Spanish sports as it oversees federal funding for high-performance programs, Olympic preparations, and strategic development in cooperation with national federations. In theory, this includes providing financial support for water polo —a sport where Spain has consistently excelled internationally. However, according to the clubs, the CSD has failed to deliver on its promises for years, creating a serious crisis for the sustainability of the sport at the elite level.
What are the clubs saying?
In their statement, the clubs stress that the CSD publicly announced special support plans for water polo back in 2021, committing to substantial and targeted economic aid. Reality, they claim, has been very different.
“These commitments were only honored in 2022 and 2024, while they were completely ignored in 2023 and, unacceptably, again in 2025. We are not talking about abstract promises: these are firm agreements, endorsed by senior CSD officials, which have been systematically ignored,” the statement reads.
The clubs warn that this lack of institutional backing represents a direct attack on the successful model that has made Spain one of the top nations in global water polo. This model relies on close collaboration between the RFEN (Spanish Swimming Federation) and División de Honor clubs, ensuring rigorous planning for calendars, national team camps, and athlete development —always aligned with CSD’s own strategic objectives.
Spanish teams keep delivering on the global stage
Ironically, while financial support has been inconsistent, Spain’s national teams continue to achieve historic results. In the past year alone:
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The women’s team captured Olympic gold in Paris, cementing their place among the sport’s elite.
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Recent World Championships in Singapore brought more prestigious medals, reinforcing Spain’s position at the top.
According to the clubs, none of this would have been possible without their massive efforts to sustain athlete training, preparation, and competition —without public support.
Clubs demand immediate action
The statement calls for the CSD to honor its commitments without delay, reinstating promised financial aid and establishing a stable funding line of at least €2.5 million annually through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Spanish sport needs institutions that live up to the level of its athletes. We will not accept more excuses or empty promises,” the clubs warn.
They add that if the situation does not change immediately, the start of national water polo competitions will be in jeopardy, as clubs cannot continue shouldering the entire financial burden alone.
The message ends with a blunt declaration:
“Enough words. It’s time for action.”
