Ilie Năstase criticizes Romanian state support for sports

Former tennis star Ilie Năstase has issued sharp criticisms regarding the Romanian state's lack of involvement in sports development. Speaking at the Nadia Comăneci Gymnastics Hall in Otopeni, Năstase argued that the country must rely on private investors rather than the government, citing Ion Țiriac as a primary example of successful private support for gymnastics, tennis, and swimming.

Năstase claimed that the state does not provide adequate assistance and accused officials of corruption, stating, “The Romanian state does not exist. Romania no longer exists at this moment. If private individuals do not help, Mr. Țiriac helps a lot.” He noted that the new gymnastics facility, which cost approximately 8 million euros and was funded by the Ion Țiriac Foundation, was completed in just eight months.

During the event, which included a selection process for children's gymnastics courses, Năstase also made controversial remarks regarding his personal wishes, expressing a desire to be buried at the BNR Arenas and making disparaging comments directed at Mugur Isărescu.