Czech tennis chief held in custody over grave fraudulent transactions that raise questions on the future of Czech tennis

President Kaderka has been in charge of the federation since 1998 and may face up to 10 years of imprisonment if found guilty.

Czech tennis chief held in custody over grave fraudulent transactions that raise questions on the future of Czech tennis

Ivo Kaderka, President of the Czech Tennis Federation and the European Federation Tennis Europe, attends a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz with double Wimbledon doubles winner Barbora Strycova in Prague, Czech Republic, on July 19, 2023. (Via Imago)

The Czech Tennis Federation is at the center of attention and controversy, as a raid took place in their headquarters, and their president, as well as ten other people, were detained. 

Suspected of misuse of state funds, the entire organization was raided by the police, and they detained the president, Ivo Kaderka, along with ten other people, for the fraud. The individuals were charged with fraud that involved millions of crowns (Czech currency), which was initially intended for tennis. 

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Along with the president, even their financial accountant and director Hana Baierova, and Vojtech Flegl, who is a board member of a Czech sports association, was taken in custody. All these people were detained by the police, meanwhile another director was appointed by the organization.

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The federation said on Friday that they had appointed its sports director Jan Stoces as interim head as a replacement for the current president, who was detained by the police. This obviously raises a few questions about the future of Czech tennis, especially when the players are starting to strive in the game. However, Prague’s public prosecution office said that a total of five members and five firms have been charged with fraud, and not the entire organization. 

Czech Republic’s National Sports Agency comments on the matter, as they confirm the ongoing investigation

The Czech Republic tennis federation is in trouble as their president gets detained after being suspected of fraud. Some members of the group have been charged with misuse of state money, as the police recently raided the organization, and detained a few people. 

Sports director Jan Stoces (right) will temporarily lead the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) instead of its president Ivo Kaderka, who has been in custody since February 29, 2024, the CTS executive committee and CTS representatives announced at a meeting with journalists in Prague, Czech Republic, on March 1, 2024.
Sports director Jan Stoces (right) will temporarily lead the Czech Tennis Association (CTS) instead of its president Ivo Kaderka, who has been in custody since February 29, 2024, the CTS executive committee and CTS representatives announced at a meeting with journalists in Prague, Czech Republic, on March 1, 2024. (Via Imago)

The Czech Republic’s National Sports Agency recently commented on this matter, confirming the ongoing investigation. 

At this point, I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation. We have been asked to provide information and documents and are cooperating fully with the police in this matter. However, in view of the fact that the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide any details relating to the case. 
Eliska Machkova, the spokesperson.

President Kaderka has been in charge of the federation since 1998 and may face up to 10 years of imprisonment if found guilty. The money intended for tennis was not rightfully used, as the people were detained for the act. 

With a huge history of tennis stars from Czech, ranging from Martina Navratilova to Jiri Lehecka, the organization faces a lot of backlash for their action. The world demands answers from the suspected people. 

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