Kalmar's women's team did not get to share in the elite support of one million kroner last year.

Now they are also not allowed to take part in the extra elite support of four million kroner, despite the fact that they play in the country's second highest league.

According to the municipality's own definition, the two highest league levels count as elite sport, but since there are only three league levels in Kalmar's district, they believe that Basketetta does not fall under the concept of "elite sport".

- What is bad is that the municipality has a definition of elite sport that they themselves do not follow, says Jesper Birgemo, chairman of Kalmar Basket, to SVT Sport and continues:

- What will happen is that the members have to pay more so that we can finance playing at this level.

The head of administration: "Unfortunate"

Henrik N Ederam is head of administration for Kalmar's culture and leisure administration and believes that the municipality's view of elite sports is based on the National Sports Confederation's definition.

- The regulatory framework is what exists and if you fall within it, you can take part in it, and if you fall outside, you don't get it.

I understand that it is unfortunate for some associations that fall on the line, he says.

But the Swedish Sports Confederation themselves say that they have no definition of elite sport.

Instead, it is up to the special sports associations, in this case the Basketball Association, to decide what is an elite sport.

According to the association's general secretary Fredrik Joulamo, the basketball league is classified as an elite series.

He does not think the municipality's arguments hold.

"The fact that basketball is a world sport that is big outside of Sweden's borders, unlike, for example, handball and floorball, should that detract from the investment made in our second highest league?

Strange," he writes in an email to SVT.

The coach disappointed

Henrik N Ederam says that he received the definition of one from a local sports consultant from the RF and is surprised when he is told that there is no such thing.

- It was strange because I had it sent to me.

Kalmar's coach Damir Tolic is not satisfied with the municipality's decision.

- I am very disappointed, I actually feel disappointed and appalled, he says.