The Athletes Germany group has said it is "shocked" by an updated government draft on a planned sports funding law, saying athletes are not at the centre of it and that the political side and sports bodies have too much influence.

Athletes Germany said in a statement on Wednesday that they "firmly rejects it in its current form, saying that "the draft fails to meet fundamental requirements for modern governance in elite sport."

“With this draft bill, the federal chancellery and the organised sports sector – which has had a significant influence on it – are sending a clear signal: independent and effective athlete representation is still not desired within the German sports system,” Athletes Germany president Pia Greiten said.

The draft seen by dpa could be presented to the cabinet next week by State Minister for Sport Christiane Schenderlein. It is unclear when it will be presented in parliament.

The new law is regulate sports funding regardless of who is ruling the country. It is to give better planning securrity, reduce beaurocracy and serve a better performance from athletes.

One key is an independent sports agency which is to distribute the funds from 2029 onwards. The draft was reworked after criticism including from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) which said that organised sport did not have a big saying while the political influence was too big.

The original five-strong foundation council included only one member from sport. In the new version it has nine members, including three from the DOSB. The other six are from the federal side and that of state sports ministers.

Athletes Germany said that through the draft "organised sport consistently upholds existing power structures and prevents genuine participation.

"Decisions regarding athletes’ living and working conditions are made without their meaningful involvement."